Lot 721
Italian States -- Genova. Scudo Stretto, 1679. Dav-3901. Cross with stars in angles. Reverse: Virgin Mary and child on cloud, stars above. Deeply lustrous and superbly struck on a broad, oblong flan, with original silvery surfaces. As fine as piece as we can remember. NGC graded MS-64.
Genoa owed its power to Andrea Doria, who unofficially ruled the port city, as Admiral-in-Chief for the Spanish Habsburgs, from 1528 to 1550. Through his wisdom, and by arranging for the Genoese bankers to handle the Habsburg fortune, he helped Genoa attain great wealth. Its strategic placement on the Ligurian Sea, backed by a coinage of high value, as well as its Catholic fealty, were reflected for centuries through its silvery scudos, represented in this monumental collection by this fabulous specimen.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000.
Ex Irving Goodman Collection.
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| Realized $8,338 |
