Papal States (1804)-R doppia Fr-248
This specimen was lot 2855 in Sincona sale 80 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 650 CHF (about US$779 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY | Vatican - Church State, Pius VII. 1799-1823. Doppia Romana Anno V (1804/05), Roma. Extremely fine-uncirculated. Extraordinary condition." This type was issued 1801-09 for Pius VII (1799-1823). After striking zecchini fairly steadily 1738-84, the denomination was suddenly dropped in favor of a series of mezze doppie (Fr-247), doppie (Fr-248) and due doppie (Fr-245). The type doesn't fit into the already chaotic papal coinage system nor does it match the doppie of her neighbors, such as Naples, Parma and Sardinia. The series was also minted in Bologna (see Fr-249). During 1808-14, the Papal States were annexed to Napoleon's empire.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 5.47 g, 0.917 fine gold, this specimen 5.42 g.
Catalog reference: KM 1070, Mont. 18, Pagani 55, Fr-248, Ber-3217.
- Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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
- Gigante, Fabio, Gigante 2016: Catalogo Nazionale delle Monete Italiano Dal '700 All'Euro, 24a ed. Varese, Italy, 2015.
- Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 2014.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 80, World Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, World Banknotes, Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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