Sicily (1266-82) reale d'oro Fr-653
This specimen was lot 2797 in Sincona sale 80 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 50,000 CHF (about US$59,925 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALY | Sicily, Carlo I d'Angio, 1266-1282. Reale d'oro o. J. (um 1266-1282), Barletta. + KAROL - DEI:GRA Gekröntes Brustbild mit Drapierung und Kürass nach rechts, im linken Feld Lilie, im rechten Feld Kreuz. Rv: + R - EX : SI Stern - Stern CILI - E, Lilienwappen. Äusserst selten. NGC MS63. Prachtexemplar. (Italy, kingdom of Sicily, Charles of Anjou, 1266-82, undated gold real, circa 1266-82, Barletta mint. Obverse: draped, armored and crowned bust right, lily in the left field, cross in the right field; reverse: lilies on arms. Extremely rare, Cabinet piece.)"
Charles of Anjou was the brother of the king of France and came to Italy with an army, looking for a kingdom to conquer. Note the arms of France on the reverse with the label of difference. He was evicted from Sicily in 1282 during the Sicilian Vespers.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: gold. This specimen is 5.25 g.
Catalog reference: Kowalski K3/C2, MIR 143, Spahr 12, Fr-653.
- 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.
- Grierson, Philip, Coins of Medieval Europe, London: B. A. Seaby Ltd., 1991.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 80, World Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, World Banknotes, Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
Link to:
- Sicily (1220-50) 5 tari d'oro Fr-650 Frederick II
- Sicily (1266-82) 5 tari d'oro Fr-653a Charles of Anjou
- Sicily (1266-82) tari d'oro Fr-142 Brindisi mint
- (1282-85) pierreale, Messina mint
- Coins and currency dated 1266