Sicily 1650-IP 4 tari
This specimen was lot 74036 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2023), where it sold for $192. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Naples & Sicily (Sicily). 4 Tari, 1650-IP. Messina Mint. Filippo III (Philip IV of Spain). NGC AU Details--Cleaned. Some cleaning is noted, but this near-Mint example has begun to reacquire color quite pleasingly. Though listed on the holder as 1658, it is the opinion of this cataloger that the date is, in fact, 1650, as that appears to be the final year in which the IP mintmaster signed his initials only. Given the location of the date and the weakness of strike there, an exact reading is difficult, but 1650 would seem much more likely. From the David Sterling Collection." This type is listed in the SCWC for 1620-65. The Messina mint struck half, one, two, three and four tari in 1650. Four tari was one third of a piastra. For 1650, we note four tari dated 1650-IP, 1650-IP MP and 1650-IP PP. While not rare, few are available in collectible condition due to the crudity of the strike.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, 31 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-21; MIR-355.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the David Sterling Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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