Naples (1494-95) ducat Fr-820

Heritage sale 3081, lot 32281

This specimen was lot 32281 in Heritage sale 3081 (New York, January 2020), where it sold for $6,600. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Italy: Naples & Sicily. Alfonso II of Aragon gold Ducato ND (1494-1495) MS65 NGC. RECORDAT: MISERIC o :SVE (double annulet stops), crowned bust of Ferdinand I right, T behind / ALFONSVS: II: R o SICI (double annulet stops), crowned quartered shield with the arms of Hungary, France, and Jerusalem. An exquisite piece of Italian gold that perfectly embodies the allure of the coinage of the period. The obverse displays the most minor flaws in the die near the edge, but otherwise appears untouched, and the reverse is even more stunning, clearly benefitting from perfect centering and a sound strike. From the Caranett Collection." Alfonso, son of Ferdinand I (1458-94) of Naples, was briefly king of Naples but abdicated on the approach of an invading French army. This is his only known gold coin.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold.

Catalog reference: Fr-820, Biaggi-1690 (R), Bellesia-12 (R/2), MIR-87 (R3).

Source:

• 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3081, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.

Link to:

• Naples (1458-94) ducat Fr-819 Ferdinand I
• Aquila (1494-95) cavallo, Charles VIII
• Naples (1494-95)-T coronat
• (1501-03) ducato d'oro, Louis XII of France
• Coins and currency dated 1494