Watch List notes:

Papal States. Benedetto XIII -- Pier Francesco Orsini (1724-1730). Zecchino, 1729. Roma. 3.41 gms. The Church seated in the clouds; BEN. XIII P. .MAX., rev. Large rose; .ZECCHINO. ROMANO., date in ex. Ber.2560, Fr.217, KM 820. A Pugliese noble by birth, Pier Francesco renounced his inheritance for life as a Dominican friar. As pontiff, he ruled by example and was more concerned with his flock than the administrative state. Combined with his lack of political acumen, this sadly led to his naively placing secular affairs into the hands of corrupt Cardinal NiccolÚ Coscia. Coscia's abuses ruined the Papal treasury. Rare. A few edge nicks, possibly prong marks, and small edge imperfection at 6:00. About Extremely Fine.

($3000-3500)