Mantua 1666 scudo Dav-3968

Sincona sale 63, lot 1188

This specimen was lot 1188 in Sincona sale 63 (Zurich, June 2020), where it sold for 1,200 CHF (about US$1,504 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"ITALY | Mantova, Ferdinando Carlo Gonzaga, unter Vormundschaft seiner Mutter Isabella Clara 1665-1669. Scudo 1666, Mantova. Sehr selten. Sehr schön. (duchy of Mantua, Ferdinand Charles of Gnozaga, under the regency of his mother Isabella Clara, 1665-69, scudo of 1666, Mantua mint, Very rare, Very fine.)"

Upon the death of Ferdinando Carlo, last independent Duke of Mantua (r. 1665-1707), the duchy was annexed by the Austrians and ruled as part of the duchy of Milan. At the time, 6 denari = 1 sesino, 2 sesini = 1 soldo, 20 soldi = 1 lira, 12 lire = 1 tallero or scudo. This type is scarce, like most Italian crowns of the period.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 19.50-22.08 g, 39 mm diameter, this specimen 22.04 g.

Catalog reference: KM 206, MIR 720. Dav-3968.

Source:

• ^[1]Richter, Jürg, Sincona sale 63: Gold and Silver Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2020.
• Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
• Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1974.

Link to:

• Mantua 1633 giulio
• Mantua (1637-47) ducatone Dav-3961 Carlo II
• Bozzolo 1638 tallero Dav-3856
• Mantua 1664 1/4 ducatone
• Sabbioneta 1666 ducatone Dav-4146
• 1678 scudo
• Coins and currency dated 1666