Papal States (1555-59) bianco
This specimen was lot 1321 in Künker sale 403 (Osnabrück, March 2024), where it sold for €340 (about US$446 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"PAPST PAUL IV., 1555-1559. Die Münzstätte Bologna. Bianco (1/2 Lira) o. J., Bologna. Der Mantel auf der Vorderseite mit Rosetten, Lilien und Arabesken verziert, die Rückseite mit zwei Linienkreisen. Sehr schön. (Papal States, Paul IV, 1555-59, undated biano or half lira, Bologna mint. The mantle on the obverse is decorated with rosettes, lilies and arabesques, the reverse with two circles. Very fine.)"
This is the only issue of this denomination during this pontificate. The bianco circulated only in Bologna.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 5.17 g, 0.917 fine silver, this specimen 4,95 g.
Catalog reference: Berman 1048; Muntoni 49; Toffanin 1037/1 (R).
- Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
- Francesco Muntoni, Le Monete del Papi e Degli Stati Pontifici, 4 vols. Rome: P & P Santamaria, 1973.
- [1]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Katalog 403: Coins and Medals of the Popes - The significant collection of a southwest German entrepreneur, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2024.
Link to:
- (1550-55) bianco, Bologna mint, Julius III
- (1550-55) scudo d'oro
- 1555 giulio, Julius III
- (1555) giulio, Rome mint, Marcellus II
- Papal States 1555 giulio sede vacante
- (1555-59) giulio, Paul IV
- (1555-59) testone, Rome mint
- (1555-59) testone, Ancona mint
- Papal States (1555-59) scudo d'oro Fr-347
- (1559-65) bianco, Pius IV, Bologna mint
- Coins and currency dated 1555