Milan, a potpourri of peoples

EVillageProwler · November 27, 2014 2:37AM

Founded around 400 B.C.E. by Celtic peoples, it has since become a major industrialized center of Italy and the capital of Lombardy. In the intervening centuries, the city has been dominated by Rome, Byzantium, Charlemagne, France, Spain and Austria.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, Italy was a terrible mess from internal struggles as well as from outside states like France. The resulting "Italian Wars" led Louis XII of France to become the Duke of Milan (1500-13). This representative piece is a Grosso from the Eric P. Newman collection, graded MS63 by NGC. It is darkly toned, as you can see, but is also richly toned and has its charms for such a simple 500 year old button.

In 1525, Charles V of Spain defeated François I at the Battle of Pavia, and thus taking Milan. The line of the Spanish Habsburgs ended with the death of Charles II in 1700. The next piece is a 1694 Filippo (Dav-4007) bearing the portrait of Charles II. I posted this coin in early November in a GTG thread to illustrate the difficulty in grading many large early Italian States issues.

After a brief struggle with a French claim to the Spanish throne, the Austrian Habsburgs were able to claim Milan and most of Spain's Italian possessions. This next coin is a Scudo (of 6 Lire), dated 1779. Dav-1386. A somewhat common coin in average circulated condition, this lustrous, attractive choice coin is now a condition rarity.

Portrait side: veiled bust right of Maria Theresa; legend: M. THERESIA. D.G. R. IMP. HU. BO. REG. A. A. Shield side: crowned oval shield of 4-fold arms with central shield, crossed branches below, date at end of legend; legend: MEDIOLANI - DUX.

JCMhouston · November 27, 2014 2:45AM

I like those dark richly toned pieces, number 1 is a beauty.

LochNESS · November 27, 2014 3:03AM

The first and third look to have some green hues.

Interesting to see them side by side and notice the differences in the production process.

bronzemat · November 27, 2014 3:11AM

Beautiful additions!

Iosephus · November 27, 2014 5:14AM

That grosso is a nice example of Renaissance coinage. It's interesting to see a Biscione on either side of the French royal coat of arms.

BTW, is "Edward P. Newman" a relative of Eric's?

Zohar · November 27, 2014 5:27AM

Here is my Scudo (6 Lire)

EVillageProwler · November 28, 2014 1:10PM

<< <i>The first and third look to have some green hues.

Interesting to see them side by side and notice the differences in the production process. >>

Yes, the first and third coins have shades of green.

For the third coin, much more care was put into the product than compared to the second: better typical strike, smoother planchet, and more accurate weight.

Zohar - always nice to see your coin. Thanks for sharing!

Iosephus - thanks and fixed!

LochNESS · November 28, 2014 1:44PM

<< <i>For the third coin, much more care was put into the product ... >>

Yes indeed! My favorite of the bunch. Maria looks as if she is peeking around the corner to see the sunrise.

EVillageProwler · November 28, 2014 9:04PM

LochNESS - I very much like the MT Scudo too. Per the esteemed Zohar, the Milanese detested Habsburg rule and defaced the portrait of MT when the opportunity presented itself. That our two specimens escaped such damage is happy chance.

EVP

nicholasz219 · November 29, 2014 1:12AM

Very nice. Nice hair in number two, I mean. She's a fancy lady.

Milan, a potpourri of peoples

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