Picked up this set of 6 Italian coppers for $10 total Description was Milan, probably Filippo III. I don't know that Numista or Krause always have all the Italian States minors listed, but here are some likely candidates: Trillina - Filippo II (bottom center) Quattrino - Filippo III (left top and bottom, right bottom) 1 Quattrino - Philippe IV (top center and right) The squiggly cone is a serpent eating a dude, tail pointing downward, which is apparently the arms of the city of Milan. Weights are about 1.0 to 1.6 g, smaller ones about 15 mm, larger ones about 20 mm. Krause has quite a few entries, but no photos for the smaller denominations. And of course "varieties exist". So I may not be able to get a positive ID on some of these.
Can't help, but I think those snakey ones are cool. I don't recall seeing one where the serpent is eating somebody, though. Isn't it just a non-man-eating crowned snake on some other coins? I forget. Anyway, never had any. Fun lot for ten bucks!
Just saw an Alfa Romeo (not mine, alas) while on a walk and there's the Biscione on the logo. Never noticed it before. I think the company was founded in Milan.
A biscione, a big snake, was the coat of arms of the Visconti family who held the duchy of Milan for several centuries, and it continued to be used for Milan even after they lost the duchy. It's clear that they chose it because the pronunciation has a certain similarity with the family name
Yes, I have some....here is one from/ Filippo Maria Visconti 1414-47/ Duke of Milano AV Ducato ND (1425) Milano Mint. Got this one as "unsold" lot MDC/ Monaco
