Genoa. Republic gold 5 Doppie 1647-IBN MS65 NGC, KM100, Fr-427, CNI-IIIb.1, MIR-257/11 (R3), Bellesia-86/I (R3), Lunardi-263. 33.25gm. The first example we have seen of this exquisite and highly elusive gold Madonna and Child type, admirably centered with lovely, satin-sheened surfaces over a bold strike. While this denomination was struck intermittently from 1640 to 1697, examples of this series are infrequently encountered in auction, with the most recent sale of this particular date taking place just over ten years ago. The appeal of the present piece extends far beyond even this imposing level of rarity, standing in a league of its own as a conditional gem for this era of hammered Italian gold coinage; unsurprisingly, it is the finest certified of the date at NGC, and may very well be the finest known survivor of the type as a whole.

HID09801242017

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