Sardinia 1759 1/4 scudo
This specimen was lot 1449 in Jean Elsen sale 142 (Brussels, September 2019), where it sold for €95 (about US$123 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, SAVOIE et SARDAIGNE, Charles Emmanuel III (1730-1773), AR quarto di scudo nuovo, 1759, Turin. D/ B. dr. à g. R/ Ecu ovale couronné, entouré du collier de Savoie. presque Très Beau. (kingdom of Sardinia, Charles Emanuel III, 1730-73, silver quarter scudo of 1759, Turin mint. Obverse: draped bust left; reverse: crowned oval arms, Order of Savoy around. about Very Fine.)"
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 is listed for 1755-72 with a very high valuation in Very Fine or better.
Recorded mintage: 3,814,319 for 1755-72.
Specification: 8.24-8.80 g, 0.900 fine silver; this specimen is 8,63 g.
Catalog reference: KM 46, Sim. 35/5; Mont-195.
- 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]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 142, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2019.
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