Classical Numismatic Group LLC sold a beautiful Gold Ducat for $9,000 on 29th May. The coin was issued during the reign of Galeazzo Maria Sforza and is graded “Extremely Fine” by the auction house. The obverse side features a stunning portrait of Sforza with hair till his shoulder, wearing armour. The reverse side depicts a crested helmet, Sforza family’s coat of arms, showing a snake attacking a human, branding irons with buckets on both sides. Apart from the small doubling in the legends, the coin looks like a great example of Italian Renaissance art!

Some silver testnotes that were commonly circulated in those days also featured the same design. It is believed that the coin was designed by Italian goldsmith and medallist Christofano Caradosso. Born in 1444, Sforza became the 5th Duke of Milan in 1466 and ruled until he was killed on 26th December 1476. The Sforza court was splendid and the great artist Leonardo da Vinci came to Milan in around 1482.

Image Courtesy: Classical Numismatic Group LLC