Savoy (1482-90) teston
The first specimen was lot 13251 in Ponterio sale 177 (Chicago, August 2013), where it sold for $4,700. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Savoy. Teston, ND (1482-90). NGC AU-58. Carlo I (1482-90). Nice strike, toned and very attractive. From the Demarete Collection." The second specimen was lot 1188 in Sincona sale 50 (Zürich, October 2018), where it sold for 1,800 CHF (about US$2,171 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"Genf/Genève. Savoyen, Münzstätte Cornavin. Herzog Carlo I. 1482-1490. Testone o. J., Cornavin. Büste des Herzogs nach rechts. Spezielle Av.-Umschrift, endet nicht mit ITA sondern mit ITV. Mzz. . G . G. Rv. Wappen zwischen fe - rt, darüber Knoten. Selten. Sehr schön. (duchy of Savoy, Charles I, 1482-90, undated testone, Cornavin mint. Obverse: bust of the duke to right; reverse: arms between "FE - RT", knot below. Rare, Very fine.)"
This type was struck by the duke of Savoy just prior to the French occupation of Milan. The French invasion of Italy was the beginning of the end of the Renaissance as the devastation of the resulting war terminated Italian prosperity. The teston, a half dollar size coin, was the first large coin issued as Italy emerged from the Middle Ages and the increased volume of trade demanded larger coins. Soon after, the German thaler, struck on a press, would supersede the teston.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, the second specimen 9.30 g.
Catalog reference: CNI-I, pg.101#33; the second specimen HMZ 1-351a. MIR 227. CNI 36.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, Ponterio sale 177: The August 2013 Chicago ANA Auction, World Coins, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers, LLC, 2013.
- [2]Richter, Jürg, Sincona Jubilee Auction 50, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2018.
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