Savoy (1497-1504) 1/2 testone
This specimen was lot 4283 in Goldberg sale 80 (Los Angeles, June 2014), where it sold for $5,640. The catalog description[1] noted, "Italian States - Savoy. Half Testone, ND. Filiberto II, 1497-1504. Cap bust right. Reverse: Helmeted arms and shield. Very Rare. PCGS Genuine, Surfaces Tooled. Our Grade sharpness of Very Fine." This type was struck by the duke of Savoy during the French occupation of Milan. The French invasion of Italy was the beginning of the end of the Renaissance as the devastation of the resulting war terminated Italian prosperity. The testone, a half dollar size coin, was the first large coin issued as Italy emerged from the Middle Ages and the increased volume of trade demanded larger coins. Soon after, the German thaler, struck on a press, would supersede the testone.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: CNI-I, pl.IX,1.
- [1]Goldberg, Ira, Larry Goldberg, Aleeza Brown, Yifu Che, Frank Draskovic and Stephen Harvey, Goldberg Sale 80: the Pre-Long Beach Auction, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2014.
Link to:
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