Sicily (1231-50) augustale Fr-134
This specimen was lot 1061 in CNG sale Triton XXVII (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $11,025. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY, Sicilia (Kingdom). Federico I (Federico II, Holy Roman Emperor). 1198-1250. AV Augustale. Messina mint. Struck 1231-1250. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing left, head right, with wings spread. Toned, some marks behind bust and on edge, tiny edge split. Good VF. Rare. From the J. Eric Engstrom Collection. Ex P. R. Franchville Collection (Heritage, 12 December 1985), lot 463; Giuseppe Ruggero Collection (R. Ratto, 8 February 1915), lot 3452.
Although very much a medieval coin the magnificent Augustales of Frederick II, with their fine high relief bust of the Emperor derived from Roman imperial types, prefigure the inspiration in the antique found in issues of the later Renaissance masters."
A half augustale (Fr-135) also exists. Both represent the first gold coins struck in Italy in several centuries.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: gold, this specimen 21 mm diameter, 5.26 g, 6 h axis.
Catalog reference: Kowalski dies U11/A38, no. 491 (this coin); MIR 59; Spahr 98; MEC 14, 515; Friedberg 134 (Brindisi).
- 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.
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