Papal States 1684 testone KM-435

Goldberg sale 112, lot 2190

This specimen was lot 2190 in Goldberg sale 112 (Los Angeles, September 2019), where it did not sell. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Italian States: Papal/Roman States. Testone, 1684. Anno VIII. Innocent XI. Sharply struck and toned. NGC graded MS-65." The SCWC lists eighteen different testone for 1684, varying in the design of the cartouche on the reverse. This particular variety has "MELIVS" bracketed by scrolls of the cartouche. The reverse motto, "MELIVS EST DARE QVAM ACCIPERE," is the well known, "It is better to give than to receive." The testone was thirty baiocchi, while the piastra, the Italian equivalent of the German thaler, was 105 baiocchi (3½ testone).

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 9.16 g, .916 fine silver.

Catalog reference: KM-435; Berman-2102; Munt-72.

Source:

• Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
• Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
• ^[1]Goldberg, Ira, Larry Goldberg, John Lavender, Yifu Che, Jason Villareal and Stephen Harvey, Goldberg Sale 103: the Pre-Long Beach Auction, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2018.

Link to:

• (1680) testone, QVOD HABEO TIBIDO
• 1684 giulio
• 1684 testone, MELIVS EST DARE QVAM ACCIPERE, cherub at top of cartouche
• 1684 testone, MELIVS EST DARE QVAM ACCIPERE, cartouche with laurel branches
• 1684 testone, MELIVS EST DARE QVAM ACCIPERE, "EST DARE" bracketed by corners
• 1684 testone, MELIVS EST DARE QVAM ACCIPERE, date on obverse
• Papal States 1684 piastra Dav-4093
• Papal States (1684) piastra Dav-4093B
• Papal States (1684) piastra Dav-4093C
• (1684-86) testone, MELIVS EST DARE QVAM ACCIPERE, no date
• 1685 testone
• Coins and currency dated 1684