View source for Papal States (898-900) denaro

[[Image:S80-02812.jpg|550px|thumb|Sincona sale 80, lot 2812]]

This specimen was lot 2812 in Sincona sale 80 (Zurich, October 2022), where it sold for 2,000 CHF (about US$2,397 including buyer's fees). The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, <blockquote>"''ITALY | [[Vatican]] - Church State, Johannes IX. 898-90, mit Lambert. Denaro Roma. Büste des hl. Petrus fast von vorn, im Feld SCS -PETRWS Rv. +LANTWERT MP um IOHANS-Monogramm. Sehr selten. Vorzüglich. Kleine Prägeschwäche am Rand.'' (Papal States, John IX, 898-900, with Lambert of Spoleto, denaro of Rome. Obverse: bust of St. Peter facing; reverse: monogram. Very rare, Extremely fine, Some small weak parts.)"</blockquote> This ''denaro'' or silver penny belongs to the Dark Ages, when barbarians roamed Europe, pillaging and burning. It would be the sole silver coin emitted by the popes until the introduction of the ''grosso'' (worth four pennies) in the late thirteenth century. This is the only coin attributed to this pope.

''Recorded mintage:'' unknown but rare.

''Specification:'' billon, This specimen 1.39 g. 
 
''Catalog reference:'' [[On the coinage of the Papal States|Berman 52]], MEC 1063. 

''[[Bibliography|Source:]]''
* Berman, Allen G., ''Papal Coins,'' South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
* Francesco Muntoni, ''Le Monete del Papi e Degli Stati Pontifici, 4 vols.'' Rome: P & P Santamaria, 1973.
* <sup>[1]</sup>Richter, Jürg, ''SINCONA Auction 80, World Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, World Banknotes, Coins and Medals from Switzerland,'' Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2022.

''Links to:''
* [[Papal States (875-877) denaro|(875-877) denaro, John VIII]]
* [[Papal States (1257-70) grosso]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 898]]

[[Category:Selections from Sincona sale 78, 79, 80, 81]]