Mantua 1596 1/4 ducat Fr-544
This specimen was lot 4981 in Sincona sale 4 (Zürich, October 2011), where it sold for 4,800 CHF (about US$6,385 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIEN Mantova Vincenzo I. Gonzaga, 1587-1612. ¼ Dukat 1596. Auffliegender Adler nach links. Rv. Sanduhr. Sehr selten. Etwas gewellt. Sehr schön. (Duchy of Mantua, Vincent Gonzaga, 1587-1612, quarter ducat of 1596. Obverse: eagle displayed, facing left; reverse: hourglass. Very rare, very fine.)"
Fractional ducats were issued from time to time in Germany but are unusual for Italy. This issue and Fr-545, also dated 1596, are the only ones reported of this denomination in Friedberg. The Gonzaga family managed to hold onto some autonomy as dukes of Mantua until its extinction in 1707, when the duchy fell to the Austrians.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 0.87 g, 0.986 fine gold, .110 troy oz AGW, this specimen 0,88 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-544.
- 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]Numismatic Coins, Medals & Banknotes: Auction 4, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2011.
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