Sicily (1479-1516)-MC 1/2 tari
This specimen was lot 1400 in Sincona sale 90 (Zürich, May 2024), where it sold for 1,200 CHF (about US$1,586 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIEN Sizilien, Ferdinando il catolico, 1479-1516. 1/2 Tari o. J., Messina. Selten. Sehr schön-vorzüglich. (Italy, kingdom of Sicily, Ferdinand the Catholic, 1479-1516, undated half tari, Messina mint. Rare, Very fine-extremely fine.)"
The kingdom of Sicily had long been ruled together with the kingdom of Naples but was divided by the Sicilian Vespers of 1282, in which Charles of Anjou was ejected from Sicily by Peter of Aragon but retained Naples. Aragonese rule passed into Spanish rule under the Catholic kings and thence to Charles V, king of Spain and Holy Roman emperor. Naples was reunited with Sicily in 1504.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, 1.70 g.
Catalog reference: MIR 251 (R2).
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 90, Münzen und Medaillen der Welt, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
Link to:
- Sicily (1458-79) carlino John of Aragon
- Naples (1528-46)-R tari KM-MB59 Charles V
- Coins and currency dated 1479