Barcelona (1396-1410) croat

Stack's Bowers 2023 ANA sale, lot 52602

This specimen was lot 52602 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Pittsburgh, PA, August 2023), where it sold for $576. The catalog description^[1] noted, "SPAIN. Catalonia. Croat, ND (1396-1410). Barcelona Mint. Martin I. NGC MS-64. Obverse: Crowned bust of Martin I left; Reverse: Long cross dividing legend, annulet in 2nd and 3rd angles, bezants in 1st and 4th. An enticing piece from a period of medieval Spanish coinage that achieved an impressive level of quality in relation to contemporary European hammered issues, both in terms of design and consistency of production, displaying characteristics quite ahead of their time: ornate lettering, semi-realistic side-facing portraits, consistently full detail, centered strikes, and neat symmetrical formatting. A wonderful near-Gem example, this engaging specimen is tied for the finest yet certified by NGC, and maintains a crisp strike and soft brilliance beneath the deep toning. A sublime piece that would be difficult to match in terms of beauty and appeal." The reverse reads, "CIVITAS BACKNONA". Other issues for this ruler include a half croat (Cayón-1883), a coronado (Cayón-1881) and double coronato (Cayón-1880) and florin (Cayón-1877, -1878) and half florin (Cayón-1879). None are common.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: silver.

Catalog reference: Cru-509, Cayón-1882.

Source:

• Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, 2 volumes, Madrid: Cayón-Jano S.L., 2005.
• ^[1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2023 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.

Link to:

• Barcelona (1336-87) croat, Pedro III
• Barcelona (1396-1410) 1/2 croat
• Majorca (1396-1410) real Martin I
• Barcelona (1396-1410) florin Fr-6
• Catalonia (1416-58) real
• Coins and currency dated 1396