Tuscany 1565 testone
This specimen was lot 1792 in Jean Elsen sale 149 (Brussels, December 2021), where it sold for €85 (about US$115 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, TOSCANE, Cosme Ier de Médicis (1536-1574), AR teston, 1565, Florence. Au titre de duc de Florence et de Sienne. D/ B. cuir. à d. R/ Saint Jean-Baptiste assis de f., levant la main et ten. une longue croix. Petit défaut de flan. Beau à Très Beau. (Italy, grand duchy of Tuscany, Cosimo I de Medici, 1536-74, silver teston of 1565, Florence mint, in the name of the duke of Florence and of Siena. Obverse: armored bust right; reverse: St. John the Baptist seated facing, one hand raised and the other bearing a long cross. Planchet flaws, Fine - Very Fine.)"
Cosimo established himself as Duke of Florence in 1537. He successfully arranged the evacuation of Spanish troops and conquered the city of Siena in 1555. The pope made him grand duke of Tuscany in 1569, a title he and his heirs held until 1737. We have filed this coin under Tuscany rather than Florence as the Republic of Florence no longer existed when Cosimo was duke. This type is unlisted in the SCWC but a testone was generally equal to one third of a piastra.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 8,93 g.
Catalog reference: M.I.R. 150/1.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 149: Monnaies, Médailles et Décorations, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2021.
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