Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXIII 14-15 Jan 2020
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ITALY, Ferrara (ducato). Ercole I d'Este. 1471-1505. AR Quarto – Testone (27mm, 7.64 g, 2h). HERCVLES DUX FERRARIAE II, head right / Seven-headed Hydra. Cf. Grierson, Coins of Medieval Europe 402 (for similar grosso); CNI X 20; MIR 255; Bellesia, Ferrara 14; Biaggi 769. Toned, mount removed with traces of solder remaining. VF.
From the Richard A. Jourdan Collection of Medieval European Coins. Ex World-Wide Coins of California (James F. Elmen) XLVII (12 May 2005), lot 165.
The Testone was introduced in 1474 in Milan and by the end of the century the denomination was established in most of Italy. Inspired by the progress in medallic art under the likes of Pisanello the great Italian families of the Renaissance introduced realistic portraiture to the coinage. Here we have a splendid effigy of Ercole I d'Este combined with the great equestrian statue of Francesco Sforza. This was modelled after Leonardo da Vinci's statue at the Sforza Castello in Milan.
From the Richard A. Jourdan Collection of Medieval European Coins. Ex World-Wide Coins of California (James F. Elmen) XLVII (12 May 2005), lot 165.
The Testone was introduced in 1474 in Milan and by the end of the century the denomination was established in most of Italy. Inspired by the progress in medallic art under the likes of Pisanello the great Italian families of the Renaissance introduced realistic portraiture to the coinage. Here we have a splendid effigy of Ercole I d'Este combined with the great equestrian statue of Francesco Sforza. This was modelled after Leonardo da Vinci's statue at the Sforza Castello in Milan.