Tuscany 1630 testone
This specimen was lot 1331 in Jean Elsen sale 133 (Brussels, June 2017), where it sold for €600 (about US$703 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, TOSCANE, Christine de Lorraine, veuve de Ferdinand Ier de Médicis, AR teston lorrain, 1630, Florence. D/ CHRIST LOTH M D ETRVR D M P B. dr. et voilé à d. R/ MONETA NOVA FLORENT CVSA Ecu de Lorraine couronné. Extrêmement rare Petit trou rebouché. Le droit repoli. Beau/Très Beau. (grand duchy of Tuscany, Christine of Lorraine, widow of Ferdinand de Medici, silver teston of 1630, Florence mint. Obverse: draped and veiled bust to right; reverse: crowned arms of Lorraine. Extremely rare; tooled, obverse polished, fine to very fine.)"
This type is unlisted in the SCWC but a testone was generally equal to one-third a piastra.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 8,55 g.
Catalog reference: CNI XII, 385, 1; Montagano 318; Flon p. 706.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 133, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2017.
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