A Henry VIII posthumous issue (i.e. Edward VI) penny struck in 4oz silver. The initial mark Grapple indicating that it was struck at the second of the two mints operating in the Tower of London. Not particularly pretty, but a decent example of this rare little thing. ex R C Carlyon-Britton (collection sold by Seaby in 1959) and Roger Shuttlewood, lot 216 in Spink sale 151 (2001).
Spanish Netherlands STATE OF FLANDERS in revolt against Philip II (or, as they would have said, only against his government since they kept his portrait and title on their coins) 1/2 Statendaalder (16 stuiver) 1577 Not great condition but a fun portrait, even if not classic Renaissance style
Italy SAVOY Carlo II Il Bono Testone n.d (1523-27) Bourg-en-Bresse (Borgo) mint The rev. motto NIL DEEST. TIMENTIBVS. DEVM (nothing is lacking for those who fear God) reflects Carlo's character as a pious duke, known as "The Good". His political situation was difficult during the Franco-Austrian war, as the brother-in-law of Emperor Charles V and the uncle of Kings Louis XII and François I, and he handled relations with them and other powers poorly. Between 1530 and 1536, after an incredible series of mistakes and defeats, Savoy and almost all of Piedmont were occupied by the French, Asti by the Spaniards, Vaud and Genevois by the Swiss and Nice was sacked by the French and the Turks. Most of his estates were lost. Only Nice and Vercelli remained loyal to him. After 1536 Carlo II took a new motto SPOLIATIS ARMA SVPERSVNT (Those who have been stripped have their weapons left). He died in Vercelli on 7 Aug. 1553.
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY Rudolf II Reichstaler 1584 Budweis mint in Bohemia (where the original Budweiser beer is still brewed)
Rhodes/ Knights of St. John AV Zecchino ND Rhodes Mint Fabrizio del Carretto 1513-21 Grandmaster of the Order When the last Crusader bastions fell to the Mamluks in 1300s. The Templars returned to France/ the Teutonic Knights began a new crusade vs the heathen hordes in the NE sector of the Baltics. Meanwhile, the Knights of St. John where given the Island of Rhodes as their headquarters. Later Sulieman the Magnificent would conquer Rhodes, forcing the Knights to find a new home on Malta.
First two of '22, from the New York Sale. One of the first portrait coins of the Renaissance, and the first one from the Papal Series: Papel States. Rome. Sixtus IV (1471-1484). Silver Grosso, undated. Rome Mint. First papal coinage with a portrait of the Pope on it. Bust in robe left.SIXTVS. IIII. PONT.MAX.VRBE.REST. Reverse; Arms surmounted by mitre and crossed keys, VTILITATI.PVBLICAE, weight 3.50g (Berman 451; Munt I;g80,14). Ex CNG 55, 9/2000, lot 1723, Peter Corcoran Collection. And another addition to my small collection of Renaissance prove, which straddle the line between medal and coin. Mantua. Frederick II Gonzaga (1519-1540). Bronze Off Strike or Medallic Scudo, undated. 1st Period. Bust left, cuirassed, leg: FEDERICVS II MAR V MANTVÆ. Reverse; St. Catherine of Alexandria standing facing, head left, holding palm branch in left hand and supporting wheel in right, 15.31g, 34 mm (Morosini 8; Magnaguti 160; Kress 90), partially drilled hole. Extremely rare. Choice Very Fine. Ex CNG 61, 9/2002, lot 2451, Peter Corcoran Collection. Ex CNG 55 9/2000 lot 1714 Ex Aretusa sale 4 (lugano 1966, lot 1052)
Italy NAPLES Ferdinand the Catholic alone (although late wife Isabella still named in obv. legend) Carlino n.d. (1515-16)
Two new additions: Pesaro, Giovanni Sforza, 1489-1500 and 1503-1510 Medalet of proof Testone, AE 9,31 g. IO SF CONST F PISAVRI 7 C Bearded bust of Giovanni Sforza r. Rv. PATRIA above Broken Yoke, bellow RECEPTA. CNI 2 var. (testone). Cav. PS, 68. Later Cast. From the DPF collection of the Duchy of Urbino. The dies of this coin/medal have been attributed to Francesco Francia, who was at that time engaged as mintmaker of Bologna for Giovanni's uncle. NAPLES Ferdinand I of Aragon (1458-1494) Crowned with initials I - MIR, R: Saint Michael the Archangel spearing a dragon. The coronati of Ferdinando of Aragon were some of the first Renaissance coins to feature a realistic portrait, appearing just after coins in Venice and Milan. This is the third type, from later in Ferdinando's reign which dates from 1488-1594. The I is the mintmark of mintmaster Jacopo Cotrullo, to whom the die may perhaps be attributed.
Germany Archbishopric of BREMEN Georg of Brunswick Taler 1562 42 mm 28.30 g I just posted this on the thread World silver crown-size type coin collectors and then realised the Renaissance portrait deserved to be posted here too