Savoy 1641 10 scudi Fr-1069
This specimen was lot 2044 in Sincona sale 25 (Zürich, October 2015), where it sold for 120,000 CHF (about US$148,227 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Carlo Emanuele II, 1638-1648 10 Scudi 1641. Turin oder Chambéry CHR (Rosette) FRAN (Rosette) CAR (Rosette) EMAN (Rosette) DVCES (Rosette) SAB Bust of the Regent-Mother with veil next to bust of her son, date below. Rev. PRINCIPES (Rosette) PEDEMON (Rosette) REGES (Rosette) CYPRI· TEC. Of the highest rarity. Attractive good very fine. Between the 15th and 16th century the Signorie minted 10 and 20 scudis as donations and for members of the court on their voyages. A spectacular presentation piece that was undoubtedly given only at very special occasions."
This scarce issue is one of a series of gold coins minted by the regent for her son Charles Emanuel, including four and eight scudi (Fr-1070). None of the silver or gold coins of Savoy of the seventeenth century can be called common. In 1714, the duke's successful participation in the War of the Spanish Succession garnered him the island of Sicily, which he traded for Sardinia in 1720. The duke was known as the king of Sardinia until his descendants claimed the throne of unified Italy in 1860.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 33.53 g, 0.986 fine gold, 46 mm diameter, this specimen 33.08 g.
Catalog reference: KM 202, Simonetti 2. Cudazzo 735a. Biaggi 616. Fr-1069.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Ruedi Kunzmann and Arne Kirsch, Numismatic Rarities, Auction 25, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2015.
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