Sardinia 1799 1/2 scudo
This specimen was lot 21097 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Anaheim, CA, August 2016), where it sold for $3,525. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Sardinia. 1/2 Scudo, 1799. Carlo Emanuelle IV (1796-1802). NGC MS-62. The single finest graded example at NGC. Struck in Sardinia at a time when France occupied all of Piedmont, and while Carlo Emanuelle IV was forced to stay on the island of Sardinia to remain out of the reach of the French army. An alluring high grade piece with warm amber and blue-gray toning atop underlying lustrous surfaces. CONDITIONALLY RARE in this extraordinary state of preservation." This type is listed for 1797-1800 and is noted as scarce to rare. 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.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 17.58 g, .904 fine silver, .511 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM C-84; Mont-10; Gig-9.
- 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]Ponterio, Richard, The August 2016 Anaheim ANA Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2016.
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