Retegno 1677 10 ducats Fr-986
This specimen was lot 30464 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $180,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"An Exquisitely Rare 10 Zecchini of Mesocco-Retegno - One of Just 5 We Have Been Able to Trace. Switzerland: Graubünden - Misox (Mesocco). Antonio Teodoro Trivulzio gold 10 Ducat (10 Zecchini) 1677 MS61 NGC. A spectacular rarity of this Swiss-Italian series, minted from a "unique" pair of dies specially prepared for this exquisite gold striking (compare to the previous lot in this sale). Carrying the intricate crest of the Trivulzio family on the reverse--containing a sphinx over an ornate helmet and shield--the type shows all evidence of careful preparation. A dual engraver's guide frames Antonio's regal portrait and keeps it separated from the surrounding legends, luster pervading throughout the surfaces while weakness is virtually undetectable anywhere throughout the design. Although some mild doubling does exist in the margins, this does nothing to impinge on the legibility of the inscription. Our research has revealed only 5 specimens of this glorious type, a mere 2 of which (including this coin) have appeared at auction since the early 2000s. Most intriguingly, while the Hans Wunderly Collection contained a unique example of the same denomination from 1676, an emission of this date was missing from his holdings. A clear target for the enthusiast of European gold coinage, with the last example of the type bringing the equivalent of $150,000 in February 2014. Though NGC designates this coin under Italy, we feel that placing it under Mesocco (and Switzerland) is more appropriate, the coin's reverse legend specifically citing Trivulzio as "Count of Mesocco" (Comes Musochi). Ex. Leu Numismatik Auction 84 (October 2002, Lot 1547); Virgil Brand Collection, Part 1 (Sotheby's July 1982, Lot 218). From the Paramount Collection."
Coinage from this locale, a commune in the duchy of Milan, is scanty and rare. The SCWC lists this as a 10 zecchini.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 35 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 34.60 g.
Catalog reference: KM 19 (under Retegno), Fr-986 (same), CNI-IVb.50, MIR-893 (R5), Bellesia-1 (R4; this coin), Gnecchi Collection-4229, HMZ-Unl., Hirzel-Unl., Wunderly-Unl.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3096, featuring the Paramount Collection of World & Ancient Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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