1 muraiola - Agostino Tizzone

Historical Context: Agostino Tizzone ruled the County of Desana, a minor feudal territory in Piedmont, Italy, from 1559 to 1582. This late Renaissance period saw Desana navigate the complex political landscape of Northern Italy, often caught between Spanish Habsburg and French influences, alongside the rising power of Savoy. The issuance of the muraiola, a low-denomination billon coin, underscores the local lord's assertion of seigniorial minting rights and the critical need for small change in the regional economy, reflecting a common practice among smaller Italian states to maintain local commerce.

Artistry: As typical for minor feudal mints of the era, specific engraver names for Desana's coinage are not recorded. The muraiola's artistry reflects a provincial late Renaissance Italian style, characterized by simplified heraldic devices – likely the Tizzone family arms or a monogram – and often rudimentary legends. The billon alloy and small flan size inherently limited intricate detail, making precise execution and die quality highly variable across issues, with focus on legibility rather than elaborate ornamentation.

Technical/Grading: Given its billon composition and diminutive 1.09 gram weight, the 1 muraiola is highly susceptible to wear, corrosion, and weak strikes. Key grading points include the legibility of the full legend, the clarity and definition of the central device (e.g., coat of arms, monogram), and the presence of any date or mintmark. High-grade examples will exhibit minimal pitting or environmental damage, good centering, and a strong strike that brings up all intended design elements, particularly the finer details often lost on these utilitarian issues.