½ Scudo d'oro - Guglielmo Gonzaga

Features

Issuer	Duchy of Mantua (Italian states)
Duke	William I (1550-1587)
Type	Standard circulation coin
Years	1550-1555
Value	½ Scudo
Currency	Scudo
Composition	Gold
Weight	1.67 g
Diameter	18 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Hammered
Demonetized	Yes
Number	N# 117589
References	Fr# 532a Arthur L. Friedberg, Ira S. Friedberg, Robert Friedberg; 2017. Gold Coins of the World : From Ancient Times to the Present (9th edition). Coin & Currency Institute, Williston, Vermont, United States.

Obverse

Crowned arms

Script: Latin

Lettering: GVLIE·DVX· ·MAN·M·M·F

Translation: William, Duke of Mantova and Marquess of Monferrato

Reverse

St. Adrian of Nicomedia standing holding palm frond with hand resting upon a column inscribed

Script: Latin

Lettering:
MARTIRIV NON·FVGI
S·ADN

Comments

From Heritage Auction 3056 Catalog:
"The reverse depiction of St. Adrian on this coin, while not unique in the coinage of Mantua, is highly unusual. Typically, St. Adrian is depicted handing a Ciborium to a kneeling St. Longinus while dressed in robes, not in the armor of a Praetorian guardsman. This portrait style is found on only one other coin that we have been able to locate, a Grossetto also issued by Guglielmo Gonzaga (cf. MIR-521).  ...  One of the altarpieces in the chapel of the Ducal Palace commissioned by Guglielmo features the martyrdom of St. Adrian, presumably the reason this saint is somewhat more prominent in the coinage of this duke than his predecessors."

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Numista Rarity index: 100

This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

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