Urbino (1538-74) armellino
This specimen was lot 1478 in Jean Elsen sale 124 (Brussels, March 2015), where it sold for €120 (about US$150 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, URBINO, Guidobaldo II della Rovere (1538-1574), AR armellino, s.d. Droit: Hermine à droite. En dessous, ·E· Revers: Saint Crescentinus à cheval à droite, transperçant un dragon de sa lance. Belle patine. Très Beau. (Italy, duchy of Urbino, Guidobaldo II della Rovere (1538-1574), silver armellino without date. Obverse: ermine to right, "E" below; reverse: mounted St. Crescentinus pierces a dragon with a lance. Nice patina, very fine.)"
The collapse of the authority of the pope in the Papal States in the late middle ages allowed many petty lordships to spring up, including Urbino near San Marino, long ruled by the Montefeltre family. The last Montefeltre duke was dispossessed by Cesare Borgia in 1502 and the duchy passed to the della Rovere family. The della Rovere ruled Urbino under papal suzerainty until the extinction of the family in 1626.
Reported Mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 1,08 g.
Catalog reference: CNI XIII, 531, 89.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 124, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2015.
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