Papal States 1699 piastra Dav-4108
The first specimen was lot 40642 in Ponterio sale 168 (Philadelphia, August 2012), where it sold for $2,760. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Papal States. Piastra, 1699-VIII. NGC AU-55. Innocent XII (1691-1700). Lowering of the tax on wheat flour commemorative. Nice strike, toned and very attractive. From the Demarete Collection." Coinage of the Papal States remains popular today for, besides the strong associations for Catholics, this period saw a string of commemorative issues featuring wonderfully vivid portraits of the various men who occupied the throne of St. Peter. This issue is among the more available. A conventional piastra (Dav-4107) is also listed for 1699; both are scarce. The piastra was the Italian equivalent of the German thaler.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 32.07 g, silver, 0.917 fine.
Catalog reference: Dav-4108; KM-614; Berman-2226.
- Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
- 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.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, Ponterio sale 168: The Official ANA Auction, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2012.
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