Lot 729
Italian States -- Modena. Tallero of 3 Scudi, 1782. Dav-1393; CNI-IX, no 368. 27.72 grams. Ercole III, d'Este, 1780-1796. Bust left, wearing Order of the Golden Fleece. Reverse: Large crowned arms supported on eagle below, wreathed by two elaborate chains of Royal Orders. Greatly detailed by a sharp strike, with only trifling flatness at the Orders beneath shield. The reverse fields show bold cartwheel luster. Nicely toned, the lighter reverse with multi-colored iridescence, tending to blue and green. Rare in this quality. NGC graded MS-61.
Periodically various Italian states would issue the tallero, a coin aligned in size and weight to serve as a counterpart to the German and Habsburg thalers. This Modena issue must have have been intended for central European consumption, since the famed Maria Theresa talers, and the Dutch lion dollars, were already successful Far Eastern trade coins. The image here is easily compared, in the style of its engraving and in the dress of the ruler, with early American images of George Washington and other statesmen.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000.
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| Realized $6,038 |
