Lot 2347

Description

Italy, Milan, Philip II of Spain as Duke of Milan, (1556-1598), silver ducatone, dated issue, 1582, (28.76 g), obv. PHILIPPVS .REX. HIAPANIARVM., draped and bearded bust right, date across, rev. .DVX.MEDI - OLANI. ETC. crowned arms of Milan, (D.8309). Possibly smoothed about the edge, minor knock on crown on reverse and on obverse, otherwise good very fine and rare.

Ex Alan Jordan Collection.

In 1450 the general Francesco Sforza became Duke of Milan by right of conquest. In 1522 the imperialists entered Milan and proclaimed Francesco Sforza [the younger] but he died in 1535, and with him ended the House of Sforza. From this date till the War of the Spanish Succession (1714) Milan was a dependency of the Spanish crown. At the end of that war it was handed over to Austria.