Tuscany 1575 testone
This specimen was lot 1065 in CNG sale Triton XXVII (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $796.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY, Toscana (Grand Duchy). Francesco I de Medici. 1574-1587. AR Testone. Firenze (Florence) mint. Dated 1575. Draped and cuirassed bust right / St. John seated facing, head left, raising hand in benediction and holding long cross. Rich cabinet toning. Good VF. From the J. Eric Engstrom Collection. Ex Coin Galleries (16 August 1983), lot 797." Cosimo de Medici (r. 1537-74) was the first grand duke of Tuscany, founding a line that lasted until 1737, when it fell to the Austrians. The Medici had long been the leading family of Florence but never the outright rulers until him. Francesco is not noted to have accomplished much but he led a very irregular married life.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 33 mm diameter, 9.19 g, 5 h axis.
Catalog reference: MIR 183/5.
- [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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