Sicily 1612-DFA 3 tari

Jean Elsen sale 160, lot 2493

This specimen was lot 2493 in Jean Elsen sale 160 (Brussels, November 2024), where it sold for €150 (about US$190 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"ITALIE, SICILE, Philippe III (1598-1621), AR 3 tari, 1612, Messine. D/ B. cuir. et couronné à g. En dessous, trois globules. R/ Croix feuillue et couronnée. En dessous, DF-A (Don Francesco Abate). Très Beau. (Italy, kingdom of Sicily, Philip III, 1598-1621, silver three tari, Messina mint. Obverse: armored and crowned bust left, three pellets below; reverse: crowned floriate cross, mintmaster's initials below. Very fine.)"

The portrait is of Philip III of Spain. The Spanish Hapsburgs ruled Naples and Sicily as part of their Aragonese inheritance from the death of Ferdinand the Catholic in 1517 until the death of Charles II in 1700. Three tari equaled one fourth of a piastra. This type is listed for 1609-20.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 7.52-7.84 g, silver, 27 mm diameter, this specimen 7,81 g.

Catalog reference: KM 10, Spahr 49; M.I.R. 346/5.

Sources:

• Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
• Fabrizi, Davide, Monete Italiane Regionale: Napoli, Pavia: Edizioni Numismatica Varesi, 2010.
• ^[1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 160, Collection de deniers liegeois et Collection de monnaies d'or francaises, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.

Link to:

• Sicily 1560 3 tari
• Sicily 1610-DC 4 tari
• Sicily 1610-DC 1/2 scudo = 7½ tari
• 1610-DC scudo
• Sicily 1611-IP 1/2 scudo = 7½ tari
• Sicily 1619-IP 3 tari Philip III
• Coins and currency dated 1612