Papal States (1350-1439) ducat Fr-2

from the Tom Fitzgerald Collection

Sincona sale 46, lot 623

Sincona sale 80, lot 2813

This ducat was minted in Rome by the Senate while the Popes were in residence in Avignon while fleeing political turmoil. It is the most common early gold coin of the Papal States. It is not dated or identified by ruler. The second specimen was lot 623 in Sincona sale 46 (Zürich, May 2018), where it sold for 300 CHF (about US$360 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"ITALIEN, Vatikan - Kirchenstaat, Senat von Rom, 1184-1447. Ducato o. J. Sehr schön. Leichter Doppelschlag. (Papal States, Senate of Rome, 1184-1447, undated ducat. Very fine, Slightly double struck.)"

The third specimen was lot 2813 in Sincona sale 80 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 850 CHF (about US$1,019 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[3] noted,

"ITALY | Vatican - Church State, Senat von Rom, 1350-1439. Zecchino o. J. Roma. Vorzüglich. Überdurchschnittliche Erhaltung. (Papal States, senatorial issue, undated zecchino, Rome mint. Extremely fine, Extraordinary condition.)"

Berman^[2] comments, "The senatorial ducat, the first successful gold coin of medieval Rome, was introduced between 1317 and 1340. It has generally been divided into three periods by the form of the legend. The issues of each period exhibit numerous varying moneyers' marks which may one day prove the clue to their accurate sequencing and dating. This series was superseded by conventional papal ducats under Eugene IV (1431-47)."

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, .110 troy oz AGW, the second specimen 3.57 g, the third specimen 3.50 g.

Catalog reference: Fr-2, the first specimen Ber-150, the second Ber-149, the third Ber-151. The main difference is the arrangement of the letters "SEN" on the standard being passed by St. Peter.

Source:

• ^[2]Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
• Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
• ^[1]Richter, Jürg, Auction 46, Gold Coins and Medals, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2018.
• ^[3]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 80, World Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, World Banknotes, Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.

Link to:

• Avignon (1362-70) florin Fr-29
• Papal States (1431-47) ducat Fr-2
• Coins and currency dated 1350
• return to coins of the Papal States