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1 Grosso - Antonio Barberini Sede Vacante
| Issuer | Apostolic Camera (Papal States) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1655 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Munt#7, MIR#1841, Berman#1890 |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Central device depicts the Holy Spirit as a dove descending in glory, wings spread wide and surrounded by radiating beams of divine light, set above a schematic view of a cityscape or flames in the lower field. The circular legend ·INFVNDE·AMOREM·CORD· (Infuse love into hearts) runs around the periphery, with ROMA inscribed at the base within the beaded border, identifying the Rome mint. The composition reflects the devotional iconography common to Sede Vacante issues of the Apostolic Camera, conveying the Church's appeal for divine guidance during the interregnum. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
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| Additional information |
Sede Vacante coinage was struck under the authority of the Apostolic Camera during the interregnum following a pope's death, with the Cardinal Camerlengo holding administrative power over the Papal States until a new pontiff was elected. In 1655, that office was occupied by Antonio Barberini the Younger, nephew of Urban VIII, a man whose family had spent the previous pontificate accumulating wealth and enemies in roughly equal measure. The Barberini fled Rome under Innocent X and only returned under Clement IX — Antonio's presence as Camerlengo in 1655 marked a cautious rehabilitation.
The conclave that followed lasted just five days and elected Fabio Chigi as Alexander VII.