Sicily 1734 oncia Fr-887

Heritage sale 3024, lot 25028

photo courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries

Sincona sale 54, lot 637

The first specimen was lot 25028 in Heritage sale 3024 (Chicago, April 2013), where it sold for $1,175. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Sicily. Charles III (VI of Austria) gold Oncia 1734, MS63 NGC, a fully original example with soft patina and abundant mint luster, mild adjustment marks. Very scarce type and grade." The second specimen was lot 637 in Sincona sale 54 (Zürich, May 2019), where it sold for 300 CHF (about US$357 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[2] noted,

"Carlo di Borbone, 1734-1759. Oncia 1734, Palermo. Gutes sehr schön. Justierspuren. (kingdom of Naples and Sicily, Charles of Bourbon, 1734-59, oncia of 1734, Palermo mint. Good very fine, Adjustment marks.)"

Sicily, having been Spanish for several centuries, fell to Sardinian rule in 1714 as part of the partition which ended the War of the Spanish Succession. King Philip V's second wife was Italian and was anxious to carve out territories for her son Carlos, who was not expected to inherit the throne of Spain. Accordingly, a Spanish army was sent to Italy and after various adventures, managed to conquer Sicily in 1720 and Naples in 1734. Carlos ruled the area as "Carlo di Borbone" until he inherited the throne of Spain on the death of his half brother Fernando in 1759. This coin type was struck 1734-35.

Recorded mintage: unknown but rare.

Specification: 4.40 g, 0.906 fine gold, the second specimen 4.41 g.

Catalog reference: KM 140 (listed under Sicily), Fr-887, MIR 547/1.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
• 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.
• Fabrizi, Davide, Monete Italiane Regionale: Napoli, Pavia: Edizioni Numismatica Varesi, 2010.
• Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 2014.
• ^[1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3024, featuring the Kairos and Elizabeth McPhall Charters Collections, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
• ^[2]Richter, Jürg, Sincona Auction 54: Gold Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2019.

Link to:

• Sicily 1733 5 grani d'argento
• 1733 6 tari
• 1733 30 tari
• 1734 oncia, Charles of Austria
• 1735 oncia
• Coins and currency dated 1734
• return to coins of Italy, Naples & Sicily