Papal Coinage
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PAPAL COINS |
PAPAL COINS |
Julius III 1550-1555. |
Julius III 1550-1555. |
Giulio. Ancona mint. |
Giulio. Ancona mint. |
Obv.: IVLIVS III PONT MAX Papal arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: {mintmark} ANCONA S PETRVS St. Peter stands frontal, looking slightly left, holding book and scroll(?)
Reference: Muntoni 55 var. VF.
Estimate: 75 EUR. Price realized: 120 EUR (approx. 184 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS
Julius III 1550-1555.
Giulio. Ancona mint.
Obv.: IVLIVS III PONT MAX Papal arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: {mintmark} ANCONA S PETRVS St. Peter stands frontal, looking slightly left, holding book and scroll(?)
Reference: Muntoni 56. Fine Patina, VF +
Schätzpreis: 100.00 EUR. Price realized: 1 15 EUR (approx. 138 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS
Julius III 1550-1555.
Giulio. Ancona mint. 2,64 g.
Obv.: IVLIVS III PONT MAX Papal arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: {mintmark} ANCONA S PETRVS St. Peter stands frontal, looking holding book and key, looking down at book.
Reference: Muntoni 59. Beautiful patina, VF +
Estimate: 200 EUR. Price realized: 280 EUR (approx. 429 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
Obv.: IVLIVS III PONT MAX Papal arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: {mintmark} ANCONA S PETRVS St. Peter stands frontal, looking holding book and key, looking down at book.
Reference: Muntoni 59. Patina, VF.
Estimation: € 125,00. Price realized: 260 EUR (approx. 326 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS |
PAPAL COINS |
Julius III 1550-1555. |
Julius III 1550-1555. |
Giulio. Ancona mint. 3,25 g. |
Giulio. Ancona mint. 3,25 g. |
Obv.: IVLIVS III PONT MAX Papal arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: {mintmark} ANCONA S PETRVS St. Peter stands frontal, looking slightly left, holding book and key.
Reference: Muntoni 60 var. Good XF.
Estimation: € 150,00. Price realized: 200 EUR (approx. 251 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
Obv.: IVLIVS III PONT MAX Papal arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: {mintmark} ANCONA S PETRVS St. Peter stands frontal, looking slightly to left, holding book and scroll(?).
Reference: Muntoni 60 var. Good XF.
Estimation: € 150,00. Price realized: 260 EUR (approx. 326 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS
Julius III 1550-1555.
Carlino. Avignon mint.
Obv.: 3/4-bust of pope facing, right hand raised in blessing, patriarchal cross staff in left hand.
Rev.: Long cross, crossed keys in angles.
Reference: Muntoni 61. Scarce, good VF.
Estimate: 50 EUR. Price realized: 50 EUR (approx. 60 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
SEDE VACANTE - 1555
PAPAL COINS
Sede Vacante 1555.
Giulio 1555. Rome mint.
Obv.: SEDE VACANTE AN 1555 Arms topped by crossed keys and tiara.
Rev.: Nimbate St. Peter stands frontal, holding key and book, looking down at book. S PETRVS ALMA ROMA Mintmark in lower right field.
Reference: Muntoni 2. Very rare, VF.
Estimate: 200 EUR. Price realized: 460 EUR (approx. 705 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS
Sede Vacante 1555.
Giulio. Ancona mint. 3,02 g.
Obv.: SEDE VACANTE Arms topped by crossed keys and tiara.
Rev.: Nimbate St. Peter stands frontal, holding book and scroll(?), looking to left. S PETRVS ANCONA Mintmark in lower left field.
Reference: Munt. 5. F/VF
Estimation: CHF 320. Price realized: 300 CHF (approx. 238 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS
Sede Vacante 1555.
Giulio. Ancona mint. 2,88 g.
Obv.: SEDE VACANTE Arms topped by crossed keys and tiara.
Rev.: Nimbate St. Peter stands frontal, holding key and book, looking to right. S PETRVS ANCONA Mintmark in lower left field.
Reference: Munt. 5. F/VF.
Estimation: CHF 280. Price realized: 225 CHF (approx. 178 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS
Sede Vacante 1555.
Giulio. Ancona mint.
Obv.: SEDE VACANTE Arms topped by crossed keys and tiara.
Rev.: Nimbate St. Peter stands frontal, holding book and scroll(?), looking to left. S PETRVS ANCONA Mintmark in lower left field.
Reference: Berman 1031; CNI 14; Muntoni 5. Very scarce, holed, slightly curved. F.
Estimation: 300 EUR. Price realized: 420 EUR (approx. 523 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
Marcellus II - 9 April 1555 -April 30 or 1 May 1555
Pope Marcellus II (May 6, 1501 – May 1, 1555), born Marcello Cervini degli Spannochi was Pope from April 5, 1555, succeeding Pope Julius III. Before his accession as Pope he had been cardinal of Santa Croce. He was also the last Pope not to change his name on his accession.
A native of Montefano, he was the son of Ricardo Cervini who was the Apostolic Treasurer in Ancona. He also had an interest in astrology and upon discovering that his son's horoscope presaged high ecclesiastical honours, he set the young Cervini on a path to the priesthood.
After a period of study at Siena, Cervini moved to Rome to continue his studies. In 1534 he was appointed a papal secretary for Pope Paul III (1534–49) and served as a close advisor to the pope's nephew Alessandro Farnese. Paul III later appointed him bishop of Nicastro, Italy in 1539. Cervini did not undergo the rite of ordination as a bishop at that time. Paul III created him the cardinal-priest of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme on
December 19, 1539. Over the course of next decade Cervini also became the apostolic administrator of the dioceses of Reggio and Gubbio. During the Council of Trent he was elected one of the council's three presidents, along with fellow cardinals Reginald Pole and Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte (the future Pope Julius III). He continued to serve in that role throughout the remainder of Paul III's papacy after which he was replaced to placate the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (1519–56). In 1548 he was appointed the librarian of the Vatican.
On April 9, 1555, the fourth day of the papal conclave following the death of Julius III (1550–55), Cervini was elected Pope despite efforts by the Emperor Charles V to veto his election. The new Pope quickly broke with long standing tradition and chose to reign under his birth name as Marcellus II. He is also the last Pope to date whose regnal name corresponds with his first name at birth. Marcellus II was both ordained as a bishop and crowned Pope on the next day in a subdued ceremony on account of it falling during the Lenten season. His ordination as a bishop was required as although he had administered several dioceses as a bishop, he had never previously been ritually consecrated as such.
Though Marcellus II desired to reform many of the inner workings of the church, his feeble constitution succumbed to the fatigues of the conclave, the exhausting ceremonies connected with his ascension, the anxieties arising from his high office, and overexertion in his performance of the pontifical functions of the Holy Week and Easter. He quickly fell ill and despite being wrapped in steaming sheep skins, he died on the 22nd day after his election.
Marcellus II had a high reputation for integrity, tact and ability. Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli (dating from 1565 or before) is traditionally believed to have been composed in his honor. Having reigned for just 22 calendar days, Pope Marcellus II ranks sixth on the list of 10 shortest-reigning Popes. His successor was Pope Paul IV (1555–59).
PAPAL COINS
Marcellus II., 1555.
AR Medal. 33 mm 5,69 g
Obv.: MARCELLVS II PONT MAX Bust of pope left.
Rev.: Standing figue of Roman god Hilaritas frontal with cornucopia and branch, next to flaming altar. HILARITAS PONTIFICIA
Reference: Modesti 463 (only bronze in book).
VF.
Estimate: EUR 150. Price realized: 300 EUR (approx. 445 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS
Marcellus II., 1555.
Giulio. Rome. mint. 28 mm 2,73 g
Obv.: MARCELLVS II PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: St. Peter standing frontal, holding book and key, looking slightly left. ST PETRVS {mintmark} ALMA ROMA
Reference: Muntoni 1. Very rare, VF.
Estimate: EUR 350. Price realized: 220 EUR (approx. 283 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
Paul IV - 23 May 1555 to 18 Aug. 1559
Pope Paul IV (June 28, 1476 – August 18, 1559), né Giovanni Pietro Carafa, was Pope from May 23, 1555 until his death.
Giovanni Pietro Carafa was born in Capriglia Irpina, near Avellino, into a prominent noble family of Naples. His father Giovanni Antonio Carafa died in West Flanders in 1516 and his mother Vittoria Camponeschi was the daughter of Pietro Lalle Camponeschi, 5th Conte di Montorio, a Neapolitan nobleman, and wife Dona Maria de Noronha, a Portuguese noblewoman of the House of Pereira Senhores dos Lagares de El-Rei and Senhores de Paiva, Baltar e Cabeceiras de Basto. His title in the Prophecy of St. Malachy is "Of the Faith of Peter." He was mentored by Cardinal Oliviero Carafa, his relative, who resigned the see of Chieti (Latin Theate) in his favor. Under the direction of Pope Leo X, he was ambassador to England and then papal nuncio in Spain, where he conceived a violent detestation of Spanish rule that affected the policies of his later papacy.
However, in 1524, Pope Clement VII allowed Carafa to resign his benefices and join the ascetic order of Saint Cajetan, popularly called the Theatines, after Cardinal Carafa, bishop of Theate. Following the sack of Rome in 1527, the order moved to Venice. But
Carafa was recalled to Rome by the reform-minded Pope Paul III (1534–49), to sit on a committee of reform of the papal court, an appointment that forecast an end to a humanist papacy, and a revival of scholasticism, for Carafa was a thorough disciple of Thomas Aquinas. In December 1536 he was made a cardinal and then Archbishop of Naples. He reorganized the Inquisition in Italy.
He was a surprise choice as pope to succeed Pope Marcellus II (1555); his rigid, severe and unbending character combined with his age and patriotism meant he would have declined the honor. He accepted apparently because Emperor Charles V was opposed to his accession. As pope his nationalism was a driving force; he used the office to preserve some liberties in the face of four-fold foreign occupation. The Habsburgs disliked Paul IV and he allied with France, possibly against the true interests of the Papacy. He also alienated Protestants in England and rejected the claim of Elizabeth I of England to the Crown. The strengthening of the Inquisition continued and Paul IV's rectitude meant that few could consider themselves safe by virtue of position in his drive to reform the Church; even cardinals he disliked could be imprisoned.
Paul IV believed in extra ecclesiam nulla salus. In 1555 he issued a canon (papal law), Cum nimis absurdum, by which the Roman Ghetto was created. Jews were then forced to live in seclusion in a specified area of the rione Sant'Angelo, locked in at night, and he decreed that Jews should wear a distinctive sign, yellow hats for men and veils or shawls for women. The following Popes would have enforced the creation of other ghettos in most Italian towns. Under conservative pressure from Pope Pius IX (1846–78), the Roman ghetto was the last ghetto to be abolished in Western Europe.
Paul IV was violently opposed to the liberal Giovanni Cardinal Morone whom he strongly suspected of being a hidden Protestant, so much that he had him imprisoned. In order to prevent Morone from succeeding him and imposing what he believed to be his Protestant beliefs on the Church, Pope Paul IV codified the Catholic Law excluding heretics and nonCatholics from receiving or legitimately becoming Pope, in the bull Cum ex apostolatus officio.
Paul IV introduced the Index Librorum Prohibitorum or "Index of Prohibited Books" to Venice, then an independent and prosperous trading state, in order to crack down on the growing threat of Protestanism and the newly introduced printing press. Under his authority, all books written by Protestants were banned, together with Italian and German translations of the Latin Bible.
As was usual with Renaissance popes, Paul IV sought to advance the fortunes of his family as well as that of the papacy. As Cardinal-nephew, Carlo Carafa became his uncle's chief adviser and the prime mover in their plans to ally with the French to expel the Spanish from Italy. Carlo's older brother Giovanni was made commander of the papal forces and Duke of Paliano after the pro-Spanish Colonna were deprived of that town in 1556. Another nephew, Antonio, was given command of the Papal guard and made Marquis of Montebello. Their conduct became notorious in Rome. However at the conclusion of the disastrous war with Philip II of Spain and after many scandals, in 1559 the Pope publicly disgraced his nephews and banished them from Rome.
He was buried in St. Peter's Basilica but was later transferred to Santa Maria sopra Minerva.
PAPAL COINS |
PAPAL COINS |
Paul IV., 1555-1559. |
Paul IV., 1555-1559. |
Scudo d’oro. Bologna mint. 3,33 g. |
Testone. Rome mint. 31 mm 8,87 g. |
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: Floreate cross, flanked at lower part with 2 shields. DOCET BONONIA
Reference: Fb. 347; Muntoni 47. GOLD. Fast vorzüglich
Estimate: 1,000.00 EUR. Price realized: 1,000 EUR (approx. 1,213 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS
Paul IV., 1555-1559.
Testone. Rome mint. 29 mm 8,76 g.
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: Nimbate St. Peter enthroned, right hand raisedin blessing, holding key in left hand. APOSTOLVS S PETRVS RO {mintmark} MA in exurge.
Reference: CNI 45, Muntoni 7. Rim damage, VF.
Estimate: EUR 100. Price realized: 75 EUR (approx. 111 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS
Paul IV., 1555-1559.
Testone. Rome mint.
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: Nimbate St. Peter enthroned, right hand raisedin blessing, holding key in left hand. APOSTOLVS S PETRVS RO {mintmark} MA in exurge.
Reference: Muntoni 7. VF.
Estimate: EUR 100.
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: Nimbate St. Peter enthroned, right hand raisedin blessing, holding key in left hand. S PETRVS APOSTOLVS RO {mintmark} MA in exurge.
Reference: Muntoni 9. VF
Estimation DM 250. Price realized: 270 DEM (approx. 123 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS |
PAPAL COINS |
Paul IV., 1555-1559. |
Paul IV., 1555-1559. |
Testone. Rome mint. |
Testone. Rome mint. |
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: Nimbate St. Peter enthroned, right hand raisedin blessing, holding key in left hand. S PETRVS APOSTOLVS RO {mintmark} MA in exurge.
Reference: Muntoni 9. Fine Patina, VF
Estimate: 125.00 EUR. Price realized: 150 EUR (approx. 180 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS
Paul IV., 1555-1559.
Testone. Rome mint.
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: Nimbate St. Peter enthroned, right hand raisedin blessing, holding key in left hand. S PETRVS APOSTOLVS RO {mintmark} MA in exurge.
Reference: Muntoni 9. VF.
Estimate: 100 EUR. Price realized: 80 EUR (approx. 123 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS
Paul IV., 1555-1559.
Testone. 1557. Ancona mint. 9,11 g.
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: Nimbate St. Peter enthroned, right hand raisedin blessing, holding key in left hand. APOSTOLVS S PETRVS RO {mintmark} MA in exurge.
Reference: Muntoni 10. Attractive Patina, VF.
Estimate: 125.00 EUR. Price realized: 110 EUR (approx. 132 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: St. Peter crowned with papal tiara enthroned, right hand raisedin blessing, holding key in left hand. S PETRVS APOSTOLVS 1557 ANC {mintmark} ONA in exurge.
Reference: Muntoni 28 I. Patina, VF.
Estimation: € 125,00. Price realized: 170 EUR (approx. 213 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS
Paul IV., 1555-1559.
Testone. 1557. Ancona mint. 9,46 g.
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: St. Peter crowned with papal tiara enthroned, right hand raisedin blessing, holding key in left hand. S PETRVS APOSTOLVS 1557 ANC {mintmark} ONA in exurge.
Reference: Muntoni 28 I. Beautiful dark patina, good VF.
Price: € 250,00.
PAPAL COINS
Paul IV., 1555-1559.
Testone. 1557. Ancona mint. 29 mm 8,37 g.
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: St. Peter crowned with papal tiara enthroned, right hand raisedin blessing, holding key in left hand. S PETRVS APOSTOLVS ANC {mintmark} ONA in exurge, 1557 below.
Reference:Muntoni 31. VF.
Estimate: EUR 125. Price realized: 150 EUR (approx. 193 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS
Paul IV., 1555-1559.
Testone. 1557. Ancona mint.
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: St. Peter crowned with papal tiara enthroned, right hand raisedin blessing, holding key in left hand. S PETRVS APOSTOLVS 1557 AN {mintmark} CO in exurge.
Reference: Muntoni 29. XF example with fine toning.
Estimate: 250 EUR. Price realized: 600 EUR (approx. 805 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS
Paul IV., 1555-1559.
Testone. 1557. Ancona mint. 29 mm 8,37 g.
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: St. Peter crowned with papal tiara enthroned, right hand raisedin blessing, holding key in left hand. S PETRVS APOSTOLVS ANC {mintmark} ONA in exurge. Date is divided by saint at bottom, 1557.
Reference: Muntoni 32. VF.
Estimate: 100.00 EUR. Price realized: 160 EUR (approx. 192 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS |
PAPAL COINS |
Paul IV., 1555-1559. |
Paul IV., 1555-1559. |
Testone. 1558. Ancona mint. |
Testone. Ancona mint. 30 mm |
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: St. Peter crowned with papal tiara enthroned, right hand raisedin blessing, holding key in left hand. S PETRVS APOSTOLVS AN {mintmark} CO in exurge. Date is divided by throne, 1558.
Testone 1558, Ancona. Muntoni 33. Sehr schön
Estimate: 150 EUR. Price realized: 200 EUR (approx. 265 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
PAPAL COINS
Paul IV., 1555-1559.
Testone. Ancona mint.
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: St. Peter crowned with papal tiara enthroned, right hand raisedin blessing, holding key in left hand. S PETRVS APOSTOLVS AN {mintmark} CO in exurge.
Reference: Berman 1045, Muntoni 35ff. Scarce, fine patina, XF. The undated Testone of Ancona are substantially rarer than the dated pieces.
Estimate EUR 800.
PAPAL COINS
Paul IV., 1555-1559.
Testone. Ancona mint.
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: St. Peter crowned with papal tiara enthroned, right hand raisedin blessing, holding key in left hand. S PETRVS APOSTOLVS AN {mintmark} CO in exurge.
Reference: Berman 1045; CNI 36; Muntoni 37. VF.
Obv.: PAVLVS IIII PONT MAX Coat of arms surmounted by crossed keys and papal tiara.
Rev.: St. Peter crowned with papal tiara enthroned, right hand raisedin blessing, holding key in left hand. S PETRVS APOSTOLVS AN {mintmark} CO in exurge.
Reference: Berman 1045; CNI 36; Muntoni 37. VF.
Estimate: 250 EUR. Price realized: 200 EUR (approx. 259 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)
Estimation DM 250. Price realized: 850 DEM (approx. 386 U.S. Dollars as of the auction date)