Siena 1549 giulio
This specimen was lot 1063 in CNG sale Triton XXVII (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $10,412.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY, Siena. Republic. 1404-1555. AR Giulio. Dated 1549. The Virgin in radiant clouds, borne by cherubs / Cross fleurée. Richly toned. EF. Extremely rare. From the J. Eric Engstrom Collection. Ex Coins & Antiquities (8 September 1986), lot 425. Only one example of this type, dated 1548, is on CoinArchives in pierced and Near Fine grade. Montagano records a unique gold Scudo from the same dies as the present coin in the National Museum in Rome (MIR 565) and notes Toderi considered it to be a proof of the Guilio issue." The Republic of Siena, in Tuscany south of the better known city of Florence, survived as an independent city state until her conquest by the grand duke of Tuscany in the mid-1500's, at which time the coinage ended. The giulio was a denomination introduced in the Papal States by pope Julius II. It was worth one tenth of a scudo.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 27 mm diameter, 3.17 g, 10 h axis.
Catalog reference: MIR 568.
- [1]Gasvoda, Michael, Victor England, Eric McFadden, Dave Michaels, Bill Dalzell and Lance Hickman, Triton XXVII, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC, 2023.
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