Catalogue
Sicily, Normans, Roger II, as Count of Calabria and Sicily, and Duke of Apulia, (1105-1154), AE follaro, 19mm, (5.05 g), struck circa 1127-1130, obv. Roger standing facing, holding cross-tipped sceptre and globus cruciger, R/II in left field, rev. voided cross fourchee, IC, XC, NI, KA and triangles in each quarter, (Spahr 54; MEC 14, 165); together with a AE follaro 20mm, (4.42 g), Messina mint, struck 1127-1130, obv. Christ enthroned facing, rev. Roger standing facing, holding sceptre and globus cruciger, (MEC 14, 162; Spahr 53; Biaggi 1216). Fine - very fine, first with black-green patina with lighter undertones, second light brown patina worn on obverse, both rare. (2)
Estimate $100
SOLD $80
Italy, Sicily (Regno), Roger II, (1130-1154), AE follaro 15mm, (2.08 g), Messina mint, dated AH 533 (AD 1138/9), obv. almalik almuazzam Rujjr al-mutazz billh 533 in four lines, rev. facing bust of Christ, (Travaini, Monetazione 193, Spahr 62, MEC 14, 197); together with AE mezzo (half) follaro, 13.5mm, (1.08 g), Messina mint, struck circa 1130-1138, obv. Roger II enthroned facing, rev. cross pattee, IC, XC, NI, KA, in quarters, (Travaini, Monetazione, 192, Spahr 77, MEC 14, 180-2); together with a silver third ducat, (terzo di ducale), 15mm, (0.55 g), Palermo mint, dated c.535 (AD 1140/1), obv. legend in two lines in Arabic, rev. cross fourche over saltire, pellets in forks, (MIR 433; Spahr 73; MEC 14, 214-6). First two very fine with green patina, last coin, nearly fine, all rare. (3)
Estimate $150
SOLD $140
Italy, Sicily (Regno), Guglielmo I il Malo (the Bad), William I, (1154-1166), gold tari, 12mm, (1.34 g), Masina (Messina) mint, obv. the king Guglielmo (William) the guide by God the commander in Kufic around pelleted circle containing four pellets; mint formula and [AH date] in outer margin, rev. cross-tipped sceptre; IC-XC/NI-KA across field; annulets or pellets flanking upper bar, mint formula and [AH date] in outer margin, (Travaini, Monetazione, 287-8, Spahr 87, MEC 14, 282-5 var. (central pellet only). Very fine and toned, very scarce.
Estimate $150
SOLD $650
Italy, Sicily (Regno), Guglielmo (William) I (1154-1166), AE kharruba? as a dirham fraction, 10mm, (0.69 g), Palermo mint, struck 553-554 AH (1196-1197), posthumous issue, "King William the Magnificent" in Arabic in three lines across field, lis in center of second line, rev. mint and date around eight-rayed star, (Spahr 96; MEC 14, 291); another fractional follaro, 12mm, (0.94 g), Messina mint, struck c.1155, obv. REX/W in two lines, rev. facing busts of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child, (MIR 33; Travaini, Monetazione, 302; Spahr 99; MEC 14, 286). Fine - very fine, first with olive patina, traces of silvering on reverse, second concave with earthen patina, both rare. (2)
Estimate $100
SOLD $70
Italy, Sicily (Regno), Guglielmo II (William II) il Buono (the Good), (1166-1189), silver terzio di Apuliense, 17mm, (0.71 g), first coinage, Palermo mint, obv. date palm, rev. legend in Arabic, (MIR 440, Travaini, Monetazione, 364B, Spahr 112, MEC 14, 397-8) (illustrated); others AE follaro, (1.72 g), obv lion head facing, rev. Arabic script, (Spahr 118); another half follaro, (1.05 g), obv. legend around REX W/SC & S, rev. Arabic script (Spahr 119). Mostly very fine, all very scarce to rare. (3)
Estimate $100
SOLD $90
Italy, Sicily (Regno), Guglielmo II (William II) il Buono (the Good), (1166-1189), billon dirham fraction, 10mm, (0.52 g), Palermo mint, obv. al-malik/Ghulyalim/al-muazzam in Kufic in three lines, rev. billah/al-mustaizz in Kufic in two lines, in center, cross potent flanked by pellets, (Travaini, Monetazione, 367, Spahr 116, MEC 14, 400); another (1166-1189) AE trifollaro, 25mm, (9.78 g), Messina mint, obv. lion's head facing, rev. palm tree, (Spahr 117, MEC 425, Biaggi 1231). First coin good very fine, second coin nearly fine, both scarce. (2)
Estimate $100
SOLD $130
Italy, Sicily (Regno), Tancred, (1189-1194), silver quarter tercenario, 12mm, (0.38 g), Palermo mint, obv. Tanqrir malik Siqilliyyah in three lines, rev. TACD/ REX SI/CILE in three lines, (Travaini, Monetazione, 118, Spahr 137, MEC 14, 444-5); another (0.80 g), AE follaro fraction, issued at Salerno (Campania) as part of his Sicilian Kingdom, copper coinage, obv. castle between two pellets, within a frame, rev. .T A./ [.RX.], (MEC 461-465, Cappelli 230, Bellizia 257 [noted as RRR], Spahr 138, Biaggi 2304); another 14mm, (2.21 g), Messina mint, struck 1191-1193, obv. Name and title of Tancredi in Arabic, rev. + ROCIRIVS around with REX across field, annulet above and below, (CNI XVIII -; Travaini, Monetazione type 399; MEC 14, 449-53, Spahr 139). Mostly very fine, first very rare, others rare. (3)
Estimate $150
SOLD $120
Italy, Sicily (Regno), Enrico (Henry) VI, (1194-1197), billon dirham fraction, 11mm, (0.66 g), Palermo mint, struck December 1194/5, obv. Harir/qaysar/al-muazzam in Kufic in three lines, rev. Z REX/SICIL in two lines, above, cross flanked by pellets; pellet below, (Spahr 2; MEC 14, 477-8); together with Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor and Constance, silver denarius, 16mm, (0.73 g), struck 1194-1196, obv. HE(ligate) IMPERATOR, short cross pattee, with star in second and fourth quarters, rev. C IMPERATRIX, AP across field, suspension mark above, (Spahr p.180, 30; MEC 486). Very fine, both scarce. (2)
Estimate $100
SOLD $180
Italy, Sicily (Regno), Federico (Frederick) II, (1197-1250), billon denarius, 18mm, (0.75 g), Messina mint, struck c.1225, obv. + F. IMPERATOR around cross, three pellets in corners 1 and 3, rev. bust of ruler left, IERL'SICIL REX around,(Spahr p.197, 113); together with another denarius, 16mm, (0.70 g), Messina or Brindisi mints, c.1246, obv. and rev. similar legends, obv. IP in field, rev. no pellets, (Spahr p.201, 137). Very fine, fine. (2)
Estimate $100
Passed in
Italy, Sicily (Regno), billon denarii of Conrado (Conrad) I (1250-1254),(0.56 g), (Spahr 158); Conrado (Conrad) II, (1254-1258), (0.63 g), (Spahr 168); Manfred (1258-1266), (0.49 g), (Spahr 217); Carlo I D'Angio (Charles I), (1266-1282), (0.77 g) (Spahr 36); all with obv. central monogram, rev. cross with additional features. Mostly very fine, several with flan cracks. (4)
Estimate $100
SOLD $80
Italy, Sicily (Regno), Carlo I d'Angio (Charles I), (1266-1282), silver saluto d'argento or Carlino 25mm, (3.36 g), Napoli (Naples mint). obv. + KAROL' IERL' ET SICIL' REX, coat-of-arms, rev. + ALE GRA PLEnA DnS TECUm, the Annunciation: Archangel Gabriel standing right, holding lily and pointing toward the Virgin standing left, orans, both wearing nimbus crown; lily in vase between, (cf. Grierson, Coins of Medieval Europe C11 (Salute d'oro); MIR 20; Pannuti-Riccio 3; MEC 14, 677-9. Darkly toned, very fine minor cut in edge, rare.
Estimate $200
SOLD $170
Italy, Sicily, Kingdom of Sicily, Peter III of Aragon, Ist of Sicily and Constantia, (c,1282-1285), silver pierreale, Messina mint, 25mm, (3.19 g), obv. +: P: DEI: GRA: ARAGOn: z SICIL: REX:, arms of Aragon, within an octolobe, rev. + COSTA: DEI: GRA: ARAG z SICIL: REGIA, eagle with open wings to left, head right, (Spahr 10/11 var., MIR 4, 173). Nearly very fine, rare.
Estimate $100
SOLD $240
Italy, Sicily, Regno, Giacomo (James ) il gusto (the Just), (1285-1295), billon denaro, 15mm, (0.62 g), Group 1, Messina mint, obv. + IAC £ DEI GRA £ crowned head left, rev. around + £ REX £ SICILIE, cross pattee, (Spahr 17; MEC 14, 769; Biaggi 1309, illustrated), Ex CNG eSale 230 (lot 502); others similar (2) (Ex Mark Vicenzi November 1983); another Federico II, (1296-1337), billon denaro, 16mm, (0.54 g), Group 3, Messina mint, obv. + £ FRI £ T £ DEI £ GRA £, crowned head left, rev. + £ REX £ SICILI[E:], cross pattee, with star in second quarter, (Spahr 36; MEC 14, 780; Biaggi 1312, illustrated), Ex CNG eSale 230 (lot 503); another of Alphonso (1416-1458) (Spahr 19); another uncertain from same period. Very good - very fine, several scarce. (6)
Estimate $200
SOLD $300
Italy, Sicily, Kingdom of Sicily, James I (II of Aragon), (1285-1296), silver pierreale, Messina mint, 24mm, (3.31 g), obv. +:IA. DEI. GRA. ARAGON. SICIL REX:, eagle with open wings, head right, within an octolobe, rev. + AC. BARCh. NONE. COMES, arms of Aragon within an octolobe, (Biaggi 1308, Lhotka 224, Spahr 3, MIR 179). Toned, good very fine, scarce.
Estimate $120
SOLD $240
Italy, Sicily, Kingdom of Sicily, Frederick II, (1296-1337), silver pierreale, Messina mint, 25mm, (3.04 g), obv. ++FRIDERIC'. T:D'I: GRA:REX:SICIL:, eagle with open wings, head right, within an octolobe, rev. +DVC APUL PRINCIPAT': CAPUE., arms of Aragon within an octolobe, (Biaggi 1311, Spahr 4-5). Toned, very fine, scarce.
Estimate $120
SOLD $180
Italy, Sicily, Kingdom of Sicily, Lodovico (Louis), (1342-1355), silver pierreale, Messina mint, 22mm, (3.16 g), obv. .: LODOVICVS : FELIX .:, eagle with open wings, head right, within an octolobe, rev. + DEI : GRA : REX : SICILIE, arms of Aragon within an octolobe, (Biaggi 1316, Spahr 10). Toned, very fine, scarce.
Estimate $120
SOLD $160
Italy, Sicily, Kingdom of Sicily, Frederick III, (1355-1377), silver pierreale, Messina mint, 25mm, (3.27 g), obv. +FRIDERICUS DEI GRA:REX:SICILE:, eagle with open wings, head right, within an octolobe, rev. + AC. ATENARU: Z: NEOPATRIE DUX, arms of Aragon within an octolobe, M B across, (cf.Biaggi 1311, cf.MIR 194, cf.Spahr 81). Toned, very fine, scarce.
Estimate $120
SOLD $160
Italy, Sicily, Kingdom of Sicily, Martin I (the young), (1392-1409), silver pierreale, Messina mint, 24mm, (3.24 g), obv. + MARTIN:D: GRA:REX:SICIL, eagle with open wings, head right, within an octolobe, rev. +AC:ATHENAR: NEOPA:DUX, arms of Aragon within an octolobe, M B across, (Biaggi 1341, MIR 220, Spahr 11, MEC 825). Toned, very fine, scarce.
Estimate $150
SOLD $170
Italy, Sicily, Kingdom of Sicily, John II, (1458-1479), silver pierreale or tari, Messina mint, 24mm, (2.60 g), obv. + IOANNES: D: GRA REX:SICI, eagle with open wings, head right, within an octolobe, rev. + AC: ATENARVMLAT: NEOPAT, arms of Aragon within an octolobe, I I across, (Biaggi 1351, Spahr 20). Toned, very fine, scarce.
Estimate $150
SOLD $190
Italy, Sicily, Kingdom of Sicily, Charles V (1519-1556), silver testone or two tari, Messina mint, 27mm, (5.74 g), obv. CAROLVS IMPERATOR, bust of king with crown to left, rev. + REX . SICILIAE, 1552, crowned eagle to right, M A across, (MIR 300, Spahr -, 230/231). Toned, very fine, rare.
Estimate $150
SOLD $280
Italy, Sicily (as a kingdom), Philip II of Spain, (1554-1598), silver 4 Tari, 31mm, (11.66 g), Messina mint, dated 1562 TP (Tommaso Paulillo, mintmaster), obv. Armored bust right. wearing ruff, around PHILIPP VS D G, rev. Crowned eagle facing with wings spread, head left, REX SICILIE 1562, (MIR 317/7; Spahr 43 var. [rev. legend]). Crudely struck, otherwise very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $150
SOLD $170
Italy, Sicily (as a kingdom), Philip III of Spain, (1598-1621), silver scudo (or 10 tari), 40mm, (30.39 g), Messina mint, dated 1611 DC (Decio Cirino, mintmaster), obv. bust right, wearing ruff (ornate collar), three pellets below, around PHILIPPVS II[I] DEI GRATIA, rev. crowned coat of arms, SICILIAE ET HIS REX 1611, (Dav. 4041, MIR 343/2, Spahr 5). Toned, double struck, very fine and rare.
Estimate $400
SOLD $1,100
Italy, Sicily (as a kingdom), Philip III of Spain, (1598-1621), silver 4 Tari, 30mm, (10.40 g), Messina mint, dated 1612 DF A Don Francesco Abate, mintmaster, obv. Armored bust right. wearing ruff, around PHILIPP III D G, rev. Crowned eagle facing with wings spread, head left, REX SICILIA 1612, (MIR 347/7; Spahr 29/31). Crudely struck, otherwise very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $150
SOLD $260
Italy, Sicily (as a kingdom), Philip III of Spain, (1598-1621), silver 3 Tari, 25mm, (7.91 g), Messina mint, dated 1609 DC (Decio Cirino, mintmaster), obv. crowned bust left. wearing ruff (ornate collar), three pellets below, around PHILI III D G, rev. cross fleuree, crown at each end, REX SICILIE 1609, (Spahr 46/43). Toned, very fine and rare.
Estimate $150
SOLD $180
Italy, Sicily (as a kingdom), Philip IV of Spain, (1621-1665), silver 4 Tari, 28mm, (10.55 g), Messina mint, dated 1649 FM, obv. Armored bust right. wearing ruff, around PHILIPP IIII D G, 4 dots below, rev. Crowned eagle facing with wings spread, head left, REX SICILIAE 1649, (MIR 350/20; KM.21 Spahr 22). Crudely struck, otherwise very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $150
SOLD $240
Italy, Sicily, Carlo di Borbone, (1734-1759), silver tari 1739, obv. CAR D G SIC REX, bust laureate to right, rev. around FAV COR AN, F N acrossm crowned eagle facing head left, below 1739, (KM.5.5 rare) (Illustrated); another silver half tari 1751, Palerno mint, obv. laureate bust right, CAR D G SIC ET HIE/S F, rev. facing eagle head left, around RE - SI - ET - HI, 1751. (Spahr 140, MIR 582, KM.5.3b rare) illustrated; others of Charles II (1665-1700), AE grano 1699 (Eklund 394); AE 3 cavalli (Eklund 393); Victor Amadeus II (of Savoy), AE tornese Palerno mint, 1716, 1717 (illustrated, Ex Heyde Collection, Geoff K. Gray Sale 30 December 7, 1973 [lot 889 part] 1718, (Eklund 399). Very good - good very fine. (7)
Estimate $200
SOLD $240
Italy, Sicily (as a kingdom), Ferdinand III of Borbone, (1759-1816), silver 12 Tari, 39mm, (26.97 g), Palerno mint, dated 1796 NdOV Nicola d'Ogremont Vigevi, mintmaster, obv. Armored bust right, around FERDINANDUS D G SICIL ET HIER REX, rev. eagle facing with wings spread, head left, HISPA - NIA - RUM - INFANS 1796, (Dav. 1424, KM.C36, MIR 603/1, Spahr 20). Toned, nearly very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $200
SOLD $350
Italy, Sicily (as a kingdom), Ferdinand III of Borbone, (1759-1816), silver 12 Tari, 39mm, (27.19 g), Palerno mint, dated 1810, V B Vicenzo Beninati, mintmaster, obv. Armored bust right, around FERDINANDUS III D G REX, rev. eagle facing with wings spread, head left, UTR SIC HIER INFANS HISP 1810, (Dav. 164, KM.C50a, MIR 640/4, Spahr 138). Toned, good very fine and very scarce.
Estimate $250
SOLD $640
Italy, Naples and Sicily, Friedrich III of Aragon, (1496-1501), silver carlino, 28mm, (3.99 g), struck by the Mintmaster Gian Carlo Tramontano, obv. Crowned bust right; T behind, rev. flaming book (eight flames and eight "flamelettes"), (cf. CNI XIX pg. 246, 19; Pannuti 5; Biaggi 1706). Toned, good very fine and rare.
Estimate $600
SOLD $600
Italy, Naples and Sicily (as a kingdom), Ferdinand III of Borbone, (1759-1816), various minor issues, silver carlino 1794 (KM.53); AE 3 cavalli 1792 (KM.31); AE 12 cavalli or grama 1792 (KM.39); AE 10 tornesi 1798 (KM.51) (illustrated); AE 6 tornesi 1801 (KM.76); as Ferdinand I AE 5 tornesi 1819 (KM.121a); Neapolitan Republic, AE 6 tornesi year 7 (1799), (KM.82.1); Joseph Napoleon, silver lira, 1812 (KM.109); AE 3 grana 1810 (KM.102); AE 3 grana 1804 (Sicily only), (KM.45); another AE 2 grana 1810 (KM.101); Francesco I (Francis I), AE 10 tornesi 1825 (KM.133). Mostly very good - fine, several scarce. (12)
Estimate $200
SOLD $150