Sicily 1815-VB grano
This specimen was lot 1610 in Sincona sale 66 (Zürich, October 2020), where it sold for 1,400 CHF (about US$1,843 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALY | Sicily | misc. Ferdinand III. 1759-1816. Grano 1815, Palermo. Äusserst seltene Erhaltung. Prachtexemplar. (kingdom of Sicily, Ferdinand III, 1759-1816, grano of 1815, Palermo mint. Extremely rare condition. NGC MS67 BN, Cabinet piece.)"
This type was struck 1814-15 and undated. It accompanied copper 2 grani, 5 grani and 10 grani. This was the first issue of the restored Bourbon ruler who had taken refuge in Sicily during the Napoleonic invasions. The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was annexed to Italy in 1860 but remains poor, backward and corrupt.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.32-2.85 g, 18 mm diameter, this specimen 28.61 g.
Catalog reference: KM 247 (small letters), KM 248 (large letters), Mont. 406. Pagani 57a.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Gigante, Fabio, Gigante 2016: Catalogo Nazionale delle Monete Italiano Dal '700 All'Euro, 24a ed. Varese, Italy, 2015.
- Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 2014.
- [1]Jürg Richter, Auction 66, Gold and Silver Coins and Medals, featuring the Claude Stritt Collection, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2020.
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