Lot 821
Spain -- Castilla and Leon. Dobla of 35 Maravedis, ND (Seville). Fr-108; Burgos-369; cf. Heiss I, p. 57,5. 4.53 grams. Pedro I, 1350-1368. Castle within gothic tressure; underneath, "S" mintmark. Reverse: Rampant lion left within gothic tressure. A stunning example of 14th-century numismatic art! Minted on an unusually broad, full flan, evenly struck with deep details right to the broad rims beyond the complete legends showing crisp letters. Even the die-centering dot is bold. Clearly among the finest known, and an important piece. NGC graded MS-64.
Pedro I, called "the Cruel," directed a number of assassinations against those who would remove him from rule. Partly responsible were his short-term (counted in days!) alliances with wives, as well as mistresses. After Pedro's exile in 1367, Edward the Black Prince sided with Pedro and reinstated him briefly as king. The chief treasurer during his reign was the financial wizard, of Jewish background, Samuel Halevi Abulafia. This authority given to Jewish financial experts and mintmasters was quite normal in medieval Spain, and included a three-generation succession of political ministers from the Abravanel family.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000.
Illustrated in Money of The World, coin 77.
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| Realized $9,488 |
