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Papal: Innocent XI Testoni
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Some of the most interesting coins of the Baroque period were issued under Innocent XI, who reformed the coinage in July, 1684. He standardized the designs of many of the coins and none is a better example than the testoni issued from 1684 to his death in 1689. All had the same basic design: papal coat of arms on the obverse, and the legend Melius Est Dare Quam Accipere ('tis better to give than to receive) on the reverse. Within these basic parameters the die cutters had amazing latitude in executing their designs, and Muntoni's La Monete Dei Papo e Degli Stati Pontifici lists no less than 90 unique varieties that were issued during these 5 years. Occassionally an obverse or reverse was "muled" with more than one opposite design. And, while there is some variation in the rendering of Innocent's coat of arms, the most noticable difference is the wonderful variation of reverse decoration, distinguished by the use of seraphs, plaques of various shapes, ribbons, ornamental wreaths of various types, a double hexagon, and on and on. Also, every date from 1684 through 1689 appears on at least one variety, although a few have no date at all.
31 files, last one added on Aug 02, 2020 Album viewed 7 times
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Last additions - stlnats's Gallery |
Muntoni 87Undated.
An interesting piece since a cursory exam suggests that the die used to produce this coin was modified by he addition of the tiny obverse date resulting in M86. stlnatsAug 02, 2020
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Muntoni 861684 on the obverse. No regnal date.
Another of the handful of testones dated at the top of the obverse. Seller's rather nice photo.
This appears to be linked to M87 since it appears that the date was added to the existing die. stlnatsAug 01, 2020
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Muntoni 90 duplicate1685, regnal year 9
An accidental duplicate purchase, but the angled view of the arms on the obverse has always been one of my favorite designs. Similar condition and I'm not sure which I like better so it's just "twice as nice."
stlnatsJun 17, 2014
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1825Modesti Annuale 293.
A "stock" reverse type featuring Pope Leo entering the opened Holy Door. This medal is a "twofor" in that it not only commemorates the 1825 Jubilee Year, but is also the annual medal for year II/1825. stlnatsDec 31, 2013
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Muntoni 821684, no regnal datestlnatsDec 02, 2013
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Muntoni 1161689, regnal yr 13stlnatsDec 02, 2013
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Muntoni 1071686, regnal yr 10stlnatsMay 29, 2013
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4 Innocent XII 1699 Half Piastre M 28An amazingly frank portrait of this elderly and ailing pope who died the next year. The reverse features Noah's ark landing on Mt Ararat with water gushing out from below as it makes landfall. The reverse translates " His place is made in peace" and is an abbreviation of Ps 75:5.stlnatsApr 07, 2013
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2 Alexander VII 1690 Testone M16A coin of this type was one of my first papal acquisitions and hooked me on this interesting series. The oxen on the reverse exude power and one can almost see their muscles move as they pull the plow along. The reverse legend translates "restored supply of grain." stlnatsApr 07, 2013
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3 Innocent XII 1693 Half Piastre M 34An interesting half piastre featuring a pelican as a symbol of self sacrifice. Early church fathers believed the blood on the bird was result of the pelican pecking her own breast to feed her young, as shown on the reverse. Combined with the inspirational legend "not for self, but for others" this was an obvious reference to Christ as model for believers to follow. Lovely and powerful sentiment, but unfortunately the blood is actually the result of captured fish which the pelican had broken up to feed to her chicks. Still, powerful imagery and a great example of the minters art at the end of the 17th century. stlnatsApr 07, 2013
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1 Innocent XI undated Half Piastre M53An interesting obverse type featuring a completely unsymmetrical 3/4 view of the pope's arms. The lion and eagle are remarkably lifelike, quite unusual for elements of coats of arms, and both appear to be ready to leave the coin. The eagle seems particularly interested in testing his wings, perhaps having noticed the lion is watching him with a lean and hungry look.
The reverse translates to "to the greedy it shall not be given." A number of the reformed coins of this pope featured legends encouraging charity. stlnatsApr 07, 2013
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Muntoni 721684, regnal yr 8stlnatsApr 06, 2013
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Random files - stlnats's Gallery |
Muntoni 821684, no regnal datestlnats
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Muntoni 711684, regnal year 8stlnats
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Muntoni 801684, no regnal datestlnats
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