Papal States 1786 2 zecchini Fr-392
This specimen was lot 4322 in Sincona sale 26 (Zürich, October 2015), where it sold for 4,500 CHF (about US$5,559 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Pio VI. 1775-1799 2 Zecchini 1786. Bologna. Sehr selten. Sehr attraktives vorzügliches Exemplar (Papal States, Pius VI, 1775-99, double zecchini of 1786, Bologna mint. Very rare, very attractive extremely fine.)"
The second specimen was lot 1626 in Künker sale 403 (Osnabrück, March 2024), where it sold for €8,000 (about US$10,497 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"PAPST PIUS VI., 1775-1799. Die Münzstätte Bologna. 2 Zecchini 1786, Bologna. Mit Familienwappen des Cardinale Legato Giovanni Andrea Archetti auf der Rückseite (nicht geteilt). GOLD. RR Sehr attraktives, vorzügliches Exemplar mit feiner Goldtönung. Exemplar der Auktion Fritz Rudolf Künker 138, Osnabrück 2008, Nr. 4788. (Papal States, Pius VI, 1775-99, double zecchino of 1786, Bologna mint, with the arms of cardinal legate Archetti on the reverse. Very rare, very attractive, extremely fine example with fine gold patina.)"
This type was issued 1786-87 for Pius VI (1774-99). After striking zecchini fairly steadily 1738-84, the denomination was suddenly dropped in favor of a series of mezze doppie (Fr-247), doppie (Fr-246) and due doppie (Fr-245). This branch mint doppio zecchino is rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7 g, .996 fine gold, the first specimen 6.84 g, the second specimen 6,84 g.
Catalog reference: Muntoni 174; Toffanin 2810/1 (RRR), Monete Italiane doro 95A, Ber-3019, KM 308, Fr-392.
- Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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.
- Francesco Muntoni, Le Monete del Papi e Degli Stati Pontifici, 4 vols. Rome: P & P Santamaria, 1973.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Ruedi Kunzmann and Arne Kirsch, Numismatic Coins & Medals, Auction 26, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2015.
- [2]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.
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