Written by Antonio Alejandro Piccolo
In today’s article, we take a look at lot 371 from our current Auction 11: a magnificent Scudo Riccio of remarkable quality, struck in Palermo in the year 1697.
Auction 11, Lot 371, PALERMO Carlo II d’Asburgo (1674-1700) Scudo Riccio 1697 – MIR 489 AU (g 3,46) RRR
A Coin with a Peculiar Name
First, a note on the name of this coin. Ever since 1715, when Canon Cesare Antonio Vergara published his “Coins of the Kingdom of Naples” this piece has been known as the scudo riccio (curly shield)—a name that persists to this day. However, the original decree authorizing its minting actually refers to it as a trionfo (triumph), a denomination typical of Sicilian coinage.
Regardless of its name, the issue was equivalent in weight and fineness to the Venetian zecchino, and our specimen is undoubtedly its finest… “incarnation”!
The “Faces” of the Scudo Riccio
On one side, the coin features the heraldic eagle bearing the Habsburg of Spain coat of arms, surrounded by the legend in the name of Charles II, identified by his royal titles. Beneath the eagle’s talons are the initials R C, standing for Regia Camera (of Sicily).
On the reverse, we find a peculiar design, a true expression of the Sicilian Baroque. It consists of an elaborate frame topped by a royal crown, from which seven palm branches triumphantly emerge. At the center is the portrait of Charles II of Habsburg. A flowing scroll reads REVIVISCIT, and the field bears the date ANNO 1697.
Indeed, as some of you may have guessed: this is an overstruck specimen, minted directly onto a Venetian zecchino! In fact, the reverse of this coin still bears traces of the legend “Sit tibi Christe datus quem tu REG(I)s iste ducatus“, as seen in the zecchino struck by Doge Francesco Morosini, which we have posted here for comparison.
The weight of the planchet also matches at 3.46 grams, exactly that of a zecchino. Looking even closer at the specimen, to the left of “ANNO” near the edge, we can read: REG(I). These letters do not belong to the die described above. How is this possible?!
Auction 11, Lot 429, VENEZIA Francesco Morosini (1688-1694) Zecchino – Mont. 2110 AU (g 3,49) R
Traces of the Zecchino
To the right of the R in REG(I), a trace of the “mandorla” (the almond-shaped halo) that encloses the Redeemer on the zecchino is also visible. Further evidence of overstriking can be found on the obverse, along the edges of CAROLVS, where—with a bit of luck and patience—one might even discern the name of the issuing Doge.
From a quick review, it appears that other specimens of the 1697 scudo riccio (trionfo) also show signs of being struck over other coins—likely Venetian zecchini—but we have not encountered a single other example where the evidence is as blatant as it is on ours.
In conclusion, the title of this post is fully justified. The clear traces of the Venetian minting, combined with the typological beauty of the Palermo die and its remarkable state of preservation, truly allow us to consider this specimen “unique”.
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