Papal States 1829-R scudo Dav-188

Goldberg sale 109, lot 2734

This specimen was lot 2734 in Goldberg sale 109 (Los Angeles, January 2019), where it sold for $1,800. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Italian States: Papal/Roman States. Scudo, 1829-R (Rome). Sede Vacante. Cardinal arms. Reverse: Seated figure in clouds holding cross and church. Lovely toning with reflective fields. NGC graded MS-63. Ex Millennia Collection lot 733." This type is listed for 1829 and was struck in Rome (shown here) and Bologna. It is a sede vacante issue, minted after the death of pope Leo XII. The early coinage of the Papal States used an antique monetary system. Five quattrini = one baiocco; 5 baiocchi = 1 grosso; 6 grossi = 4 carlini = 3 paoli = 1 testone; 10 testone = 1 doppia; 100 baiocchi = 1 scudo. After 1832, all the medieval coins were dropped except for the baiocco and the scudo. This thirty baiocchi replaced the testone, last coined in 1803. In 1835, the alloy was lowered from 0.917 fine to 0.900 fine, with a slightly higher weight to compensate and the reverse redesigned. In 1866, the currency was reformed to use centesimi and lire in order to match that of the surrounding kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the Papal States were occupied and annexed by the kingdom of Italy and coinage ceased until 1929.

Recorded mintage: 1,898.

Specification: 26.43 g, 0.917 fine silver, 41 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: Ber-3263, Gig-3, Dav-188; KM-1303; Pagani-142.

Source:

• ^[1]Goldberg, Ira, Larry Goldberg, John Lavender, Yifu Che, Jason Villareal and Stephen Harvey, Goldberg Sale 109: the Pre-Long Beach Auction, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2019.
• Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
• Gigante, Fabio, Gigante 2016: Catalogo Nazionale delle Monete Italiano Dal '700 All'Euro, 24a ed. Varese, Italy, 2015.
• Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 2014.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.

Link to:

• 1826-R scudo
• 1829-R quattrino
• 1829-R mezzo baiocco
• 1829-R baiocco
• 1829-B mezzo scudo
• 1829-R mezzo scudo
• Papal States 1829-B scudo Dav-188
• 1829-B doppia
• 1830-R scudo Pius VIII
• 1830-B scudo sede vacante
• Coins and currency dated 1829