Trento 1776 donario
This specimen was lot 1667 in Jean Elsen sale 151 (Brussels, June 2022), where it sold for €100 (about US$125 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, TRENTE, Evêché, Pietro Vigilio de Thun et Hohenstein (1776-1800), donario, 1776. Frappé en argent. D/ B. à d., en habit ecclésiastique. R/ Armoiries couronnées. presque Très Beau. (Italy, bishopric of Trento, Peter Virgil of Thun and Hohenstein, 1776-1800, donario of 1776, struck in silver. Obverse: bust right in clearical dress; reverse: crowned arms. about Very Fine.)"
The SCWC states that this silver issue is a pattern for a gold ducat struck by the bishop in 1776 (Fr-1189), his only coin issue. It seems that the silver pattern is more available than the gold production issue. Altho Trento is today part of Italy, in the eighteenth century the bishop would have considered himself a prince of the Holy Roman Empire. We have, accordingly, filed this under Austria.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen is 2,19 g.
Catalog reference: KM Pn1, CNI VI, 224, 2.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 151: Collection Paul Witte, Monnaies de Brabant, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2022.
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