Written by Antonio Alejandro Piccolo

The M.T. Collection, Coins and Medals of Naples from the Angevin Dynasty to Francesco II of Bourbon, featured in Numismatic Auction 8, offers a journey through almost 600 years of coinage from the Neapolitan mint.

Numismatic Auction 8, Lot 1543, NAPLES Roberto d’Angiò (1309-1343) Gigliato

A great research work

The collector who assembled this collection devoted significant effort to gathering coins from the various sovereigns of the dynasties that ruled the Kingdom of Naples. The result marks a dual achievement: an extensive chronological span filled with comprehensive series of coins, often highlighted by genuine jewels.

The Coins of the Collection

Silver salutis and gigliati, with their different mint marks, together with the misture denarii represent the issues of the Angevin sovereigns (lots 1533-1554). The coins of the Aragonese kings (lots 1555-1609) allow us, among other things, to trace the evolving likeness of Ferdinando of Aragon and to admire the fine portrait of his son, Frederico III.

Numismatic Auction 8, Lot 1579, NAPLES Ferdinando I d’Aragona (1458-1494) Coronato, and Lot 1602, NAPLES Federico III d’Aragona (1496-1501) Carlino

Many carlini issued by the Aragonese sovereigns depict their coronation scene. Among these, the previously unknown carlino of Alfonso II (lot 1593) stands out.

Asta Numismatica 8, Lotto 1593, NAPOLI Alfonso II d’Aragona (1494-1495) Coronato

The Spanish viceroyalty period (lots 1613-1803) is characterized by large silver coins, made possible by noble metal sourced from the Americas.

Asta Numismatica 8, Lotto 1649, NAPOLI Filippo II d’Asburgo (1554-1598) Ducato, e Lotto 1650, NAPOLI Filippo II d’Asburgo (1554-1598) Mezzo ducato

This half ducato of Filippo II, as they say in Naples, has “weight, measure, and quality”, which in numismatics corresponds to precise minting, excellent preservation, and notable rarity!

Asta Numismatica 8, Lotto 1657, NAPOLI Filippo II d’Asburgo (1554-1598) Mezzo ducato

One of the rarest pieces in the collection is the half scudo from 1617. The enigmatic portrait appearing beneath the bust of Filippo III is clearly minted on this piece.

Asta Numismatica 8, Lotto 1706, NAPOLI Filippo III d’Asburgo (1598-1621) Mezzo scudo 1617

For further reading, we recommend the Italian article in Cronaca Numismatica titled “The Hidden PORTRAIT in the Coin of the VAIN DUKE”, written by Enrico Piras on November 12, 2020.

This coin is highly sought after by collectors, particularly for the reverse type. Here, a menacing eagle grasps an olive branch and a thunderbolt, with the legend QVOD VIS (“What you wish”), a true warning to Venice, which at the time was at war with the Habsburgs of Austria, whom the then Viceroy of Naples, Duke of Ossuna, supported.

Notable are also the anti-counterfeiting carlino and the absolute rarity of the carlino of 1633!

Asta Numismatica 8, Lotto 1736, NAPOLI Filippo IV d’Asburgo (1621-1665) Carlino, e Lotto 1737, NAPOLI Filippo IV d’Asburgo (1621-1665) Carlino 1633

The copper coins of the Viceroyalty period are equally fascinating, and the collection includes numerous interesting specimens. These coins evoke the life of the people, rustic in the provinces and heavily burdened in the capital, culminating in the 1647 revolt led by Masaniello.

Asta Numismatica 8, Lotto 1694, NAPOLI Filippo II d’Asburgo (1554-1598) 3 Cavalli, e lotto 1758, NAPOLI Repubblica napoletana (1647-1648) Grano 1648

In the 18th century, Classicism saw a resurgence, well-represented by the Bourbon coinage.

Asta Numismatica 8, Lotto 1850, NAPOLI Ferdinando IV di Borbone (1759-1799) Piastra commemorativa 1791

The Medal Section

The collection is also enriched by several medals (lots 1927-1937), including some from the Illustrious Men series by Catenacci, Taglioni, and Arnaud.

Asta Numismatica 8, Lotto 1931, NAPOLI Gaio Mario Medaglia serie uomini illustri Regno delle due Sicilie

Several multiple lots (lots 1938-1948), including some with interesting pieces, offer young collectors the chance to explore and develop an appreciation for this beautiful coinage, guided by texts and studies (lots 1949-1985) on southern Italian numismatics. Notable works include Sambon (lot 1952), Cagiati (lot 1953), CNI vols. XVIII, XIX, XX (lot 1955), and Spahr (lot 1965).

Asta Numismatica 8, Lotto 1962, Heinrich Kowalski “I reali di Carlo I d’Angiò”, Editori P. & P. Santamaria, Roma 1979.

Browse the catalog for Numismatic Auction 8 to view the entire M.T. Collection.