Siena (1546-48) scudo d'oro Fr-1156
This specimen was lot 2792 in Sincona sale 80 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 19,000 CHF (about US$22,772 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALY | Siena, Repubblica, 1404-1555. Scudo d'oro o. J. (1546-1548). +SENA.VETVS,CIVITAS.VIRGNIS Verziertes grosses S. Rv. ALPHA.E.w.PRINCIPI..E.FINIS Verziertes Kreuz. Von grösster Seltenheit. Sehr schön. (Italy, republic of Siena, 1404-1555, undated gold scudo, ca. 1546-48. Obverse: florid large "S", reverse: floriate cross. Of the highest rarity, Very fine.)"
The Republic of Siena, in Tuscany south of the better known city of Florence, survived as an independent city state until her conquest by the grand duke of Tuscany in the mid-1500's, at which time the coinage ended. The scudo d'oro originally matched the ducat in size and fineness but shrank slightly towards the end of the series.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.25 g, 0.917 fine gold. This specimen is 3.26 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-1156, MIR 555 var (R5).
- 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]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 80, World Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, World Banknotes, Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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