Sicily 1556-GM 2 tari
This specimen was lot 1105 in Stephen Album sale 50 (Santa Rosa, CA, September 2024), where it sold for $450. The catalog description[1] noted, "SICILY: Charles I, 1516-1556, AR 2 tari, 1556, initials G-M, Charles I of Spain as Charles V Holy Roman Emperor, Messina Mint, CAROLVS IMPERATOR, crowned and cuirassed bust of Charles V to right // "REX SICILIAE 1556" crowned eagle with spread wings; G-M below, ex Dr. Robert A. Rosenfeld Collection." The Spanish Hapsburgs ruled Naples and Sicily as part of their Aragonese inheritance from the death of Ferdinand the Catholic in 1517 until the death of Charles II in 1700. Charles spent much time in Italy, where his soldiers sacked Rome in 1527, but we don't think he ever visited Sicily. This type was struck 1555-56; a similar four tari exists.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 5.75 g, silver, this specimen 5.70 g.
Catalog reference: Spahr-253.
- [1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 50, featuring selections from the Dr. Robert A. Rosenfeld Collection, the Hakim Hamidi Collection, the Almer H. Orr III Collection and the Solar Collection, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2024.
Link to:
- Sicily 1552 2 tari, Charles V
- Sicily 1555-GM 4 tari, Charles V
- Sicily 1556-TP 4 tari, Philip II
- Coins and currency dated 1556