Classical Numismatic
Group, Inc.
A Very Rare Gold Augustale of Frederick II
2180. Venice. Ranieri Zeno. 1253-1268. AR Grosso (2.14 gm). Christ enthroned; two wedges to left on throne / Doge and St. Mark. Papadopoli 1 variety;Scarfea 32. Toned, near EF. ($100) 2175. Sicily. Messina. Frederick II. 1197-1250. AV Augustale (5.25 gm). Messina mint, struck after 1231. IMP ROM CESAR AVG, laureate and draped b u s t right / +FRIDE RICVS, eagle s t a n d i n g left, head right, w i t h w i n g s spread. Kowalski, " A u g u s t a l e n , Realen u n d Tari", RBN1971, G r o u p A; Spahr99. Good VF, light toning. [See enlargement on front cover]. ($7500)
2181. Venice. Lot of f o u r AR Grosso. Ranieri Zeno. 1253-1268. Christ enthroned; pellet by feet / Doge and St. Mark. Papadopoli 1.6. / / Lorenzo Tiepolo. 1268-1275. Wedge on throne. Papadopoli 1.5. / / Jacopo Contarini. 1275-1280. Pellet o n throne. Papadopoli 2.3. / / Giovanni Dandolo. 12801289. Annulet o n throne. P a p a d o p o l i 2.5. Average VF w i t h minor problems. 4 coins in lot. ($200)
Frederick II Hohenstaufen, "Stupor Mundi"- "Wonder of the World", was the most enlightened ruler of the medieval world, and singlehandedly almost ignited a renaissance centuries before it took hold in Europe. Besides encouraging the study of the ancient world and bettering relations with the Muslims (including negotiating free access to Christian holy sites in Palestine, where crusading armies were completely unsuccessful), his most concrete innovation was the initiation of a western gold coinagefully comparable to the gold coins of the ancien t Romans. The clearly classical motifs proclaimed his inheritance of the legacy of the Roman emperors and were issued concurrently with the publication of the Constitution ofMelfi, his codification of Norman law meant tofallow thefamous Roman law codes. The augustale was struck until 1266, and the coinage of Frederick's successors never achieved the standards of his brilliant reign.
2182. Venice. Lorenzo Tiepolo. 1268-1273. AR Grosso (212 gm). Christ enthroned; w e d g e by feet / Doge and St. Mark. Papadopoli 1.5; Scarfea 36. Toned VF. ($75)
2183. Venice. Jacopo Contarini. 1275-1280. AR Grosso (2.08 gm). Christ enthroned; pellet below feet / Doge and St. Mark. Papadopoli 2.6; Scarfea 80. Toned VF. ($75)
2176. Sicily. Frederick III. 1296-1337. Billon Denaro (0.63 gm). FRIΤ DEI GRA, head left / REX SICILIE, cross with t w o stars. Spahr 37. Good VF. ($100)
2184. Venice. Giovanni Dandolo. 1280-1289. AR Grosso (2.13 gm). Christ enthroned; annulet on throne / Doge and St. Mark. Papadopoli 2.5; Scarfea 49. Good VF. ($75) 2177. Sicily. Louis 1.1342-1355. AR Pierreale (3.20 gm). Eagle in tressure / A r m s in tressure; annulets at sides. Crusafont 325C; Spahr 4ff. VF. ($75)
2178. Siena R e p u b l i c . Circa 12th -13th Century. AR Grosso (1.55 gm). SENA VETVS, S with four pellets / +ALFA ET W, cross. CNI XI pg. 351, 15ff. Good VF. (S75)
2179. Venice. Orio Malipiero. 1178-1192. AR Denaro (0.33 gm). S MARCVS, cross / AVRIO DVX, cross. Papadopoli 3. VF. ($60)
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2185. Venice. Pietro Gradenigo. 1289-1311. AR Grosso (2.13 gm). Christ enthroned; trefoil on throne / Doge and St. M a r k Papadopoli Z U ; Scarfea 56. Toned, near EF. ($100)
2186. Venice. Giovanni Soranzo. 1312-1327. AR Grosso (2.16 gm). Christ enthroned / Doge and St. Mark. Papadopoli 2.1; Scarfea 67. Toned EF. ($150)