Sicily 1722 cinquina
This specimen was lot 2800 in Sincona sale 80 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 300 CHF (about US$360 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALY | Sicily, Carlo III, 1720.1734. Pierreale 1722, Palermo. Selten. Vorzüglich. Kleiner Schrötlingsriss. (Italy, kingdom of Sicily, Charles III, 1720-34, pierreale of 1722, Palermo mint. Rare, Extremely fine, Minor flan crack.)"
This coin is listed in the SCWC as a cinquina or five grana. It was issued by the Austrians during their occupation of the island. Long a Spanish possession, the Austrians seized Sicily after the death of Charles II of Spain but surrendered it to Savoy in 1714 by the terms of the treaty of Utrecht. Savoy traded it back to Austria in exchange for Sardinia in 1720, but the island was conquered by Charles III of Bourbon in the 1730's and returned to Spanish control.
Recorded mintage: unknown but scarce.
Specification: 0.62 g, silver, 10 mm diameter, this specimen 0.58 g.
Catalog reference: KM 108, MIR 542 (R2).
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Fabrizi, Davide, Monete Italiane Regionale: Napoli, Pavia: Edizioni Numismatica Varesi, 2010.
- Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 2014.
- [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: