Pisa (1494-95) grosso

Sincona sale 47, lot 1897

the Republic of Florence in 1494, on the eve of the French invasion

This specimen was lot 1897 in Sincona sale 47 (Zürich, May 2018), where it sold for 1,800 CHF (about US$2,160 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"ITALY, Pisa, Carlo VIII. re di Francia, 1494-1495. Grosso o. J. Sehr selten. Sehr schön. (republic of Pisa, Charles VIII, king of France, 1494-95, undated grosso. Very rare, Very fine.)"

The republic of Pisa was an economic power in the Middle Ages but declined after suffering defeats at the hands of Genoa and was conquered by Florence in 1406. Always restive, she took the opportunity of the invasion of Italy by Charles VIII of France to rebel against Florentine control. Many battles, sieges and massacres later, she was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and resumed her life as a sleepy university town.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: silver, this specimen 3.25 g.

Catalog reference: MIR 425/2.

Source:

• ^[1]Richter, Jürg, Auction 47, World Coins and Medals, Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2018.

Link to:

• Pisa (1220-50) grosso
• Florence (1487) grosso da 6 soldi
• Florence (1510-31) florin Fr-276
• Coins and currency dated 1494
• return to coins of Italy, Tuscany