Sardinia 1756 7.6 soldi
This specimen was lot 1694 in Stephen Album sale 39 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2021), where it sold for $420. The catalog description[1] noted, "SAVOY: Carlo Emanuele III, 1730-1773, AR 7 soldi 6 denari, 1756, a lovely quality example! PCGS graded MS64." The Duchy of Savoy was an Italian state wedged between France and Milan and was often the victim of invasions from both directions. In 1720, the duke acquired the island of Sardinia and promoted himself to king of Sardinia. In 1799, king Carlo Emanuele IV was evicted by Napoleon and the region converted to the Ligurian Republic then annexed to France. Sardinia did not recover her independence until 1815. This type was struck 1755-58; this is a common date. Other billon coinage included the 5, 10, 15 and 20 soldi. Altho this denomination is rendered in the catalogs as 7.6 soldi, what was meant was 7 soldi 6 denari or 7½ soldi. Twenty soldi made a lira so this coin would have been three-eighths of a lira.
Recorded mintage: 15,000,000 for 1755-58.
Specification: billon, 3.9-4.8 g, 26 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-44.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Gigante, Fabio, Gigante 2016: Catalogo Nazionale delle Monete Italiano Dal '700 All'Euro, 24a ed. Varese, Italy, 2015.
- Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 2014.
- [1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 39, featuring the John Sylvester, Jr., Collection of Annamese Medals and Orders, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2020.
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