Papal States 1558 testone Ber-1061

Sincona sale 80, lot 2828

This specimen was lot 2828 in Sincona sale 80 (Zurich, October 2022), where it sold for 2,600 CHF (about US$3,116 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"ITALY | Vatican - Church State, Sedisvakanz, 1559. Testone 1558, Ancona. Mit der Jahreszahl auf der Rückseite. Von grösster Seltenheit. Sehr schön. (Papal States, sede vacante of 1559, testone dated 1558, Ancona mint, with the date on the reverse. Of the highest rarity, Very fine.)"

This coin, struck in Ancona, is dated 1558 altho the vacancy in question was August-December 1559. Perhaps the mint used a reverse die recycled from a testone of Paul IV? We show a testone of the Ancona mint struck during his pontificate (Ber-1045) and the reverse shows strong similarities altho it is undated.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 9.92 g, .920 fine silver, this specimen is 9.40 g.

Catalog reference: Berman cf.1061, MIR - (vgl. 1049/1).

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.
• ^[1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 80, World Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, World Banknotes, Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2022.

Links to:

• (1555-59) testone, Rome mint, Paul IV
• (1555-59) testone, Ancona mint, Paul IV
• 1559 giulio sede vacante
• 1559 giulio sede vacante
• 1559-C testone, sede vacante
• (1559-65) testone, Pius IV
• Papal States (1559-65) scudo d'oro Fr-348
• Coins and currency dated 1558