Sicily (1231-50) 1/2 augustale Fr-135
This specimen was lot 1182 in CNG sale Triton XXVII (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $24,500. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY, Sicilia (kingdom). Federico I (Federico II, Sacro Romano Impero). 1198-1250. AV Half Augustalis. Brindisi mint. Struck circa 1231-1250. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing left, head right, with wings spread. Toned. In NGC encapsulation 2119442-010, graded MS 63. Very rare especially in this exceptional state of preservation. Ex Numismatica Genevensis SA 14 (15 November 2021), lot 350 (hammer CHF 26,000).
Frederick II Hohenstaufen, “Stupor Mundi” (Wonder of the World), was the most enlightened ruler of medieval Europe. Besides encouraging the study of both the ancient and natural worlds, Frederick was instrumental in improving relations with the Muslims, negotiating free access to Christian holy sites in Palestine, where all Crusader armies had been unsuccessful. One of his innovations was a gold coinage comparable in style and quality to the gold of the ancient Caesars. The classical motifs proclaimed his inheritance of the legacy of Rome, and the augustale and its fractions were issued concurrently with the publication of the Constitution of Melfi, his codification of Norman law meant to follow the famous Roman law codes. These coins were struck until Frederick's death in 1250, and may have been continued by his successors for about another fifteen years."
A full augustale (Fr-134) also exists and is better known. Both represent the first gold coins struck in Italy in several centuries.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: gold, this specimen 15 mm diameter, 2.63 g, 6 h axis.
Catalog reference: Kowalski dies M91/B84; MIR 267; Spahr 104; MEC 14, 517 var. (no pellets; mint); Friedberg 135.
- 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]Gasvoda, Michael, Victor England, Eric McFadden, Dave Michaels, Bill Dalzell and Lance Hickman, Triton XXVII, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC, 2023.
Link to: