2021-09-03 Fri

GianGaleazzo Visconti was the first duke of Milan and ruled the late-medieval city just before the dawn of the Renaissance. He was the founding patron of the Certosa di Pavia, completing the Visconti Castle at Pavia begun by his father and furthering work on the Duomo of Milan.

During his patronage of the Visconti Castle, he contributed to the growth of the collection of scientific treatises and richly illuminated manuscripts in the Visconti Library.

GianGaleazzo was the son of Galeazzo II Visconti and Bianca of Savoy. His father possessed the signoria of the city of Pavia. In 1385 GianGaleazzo gained control of Milan by overthrowing his uncle Bernabo through treacherous means by faking a religious conversion and ambushing him during a religious procession in Milan. He imprisoned his uncle who soon died, supposedly poisoned on his orders.

Here is an image of Grosso coin issued under his reign. The obverse of a coin depicts Milan snake arms, gothic G to the left and 3 to the right within quatrefoil, lillies in corners. The reverse of a coin engraved Saint Ambrose wearing mitra seated on throne.

Image Source: https://www.cngcoins.com/