Catalogo
| Emittente | Macerata (Papal States) |
|---|---|
| Anno | 1334-1342 |
| Tipo | Standard circulation coin |
| Valore | 1 Obol (1 Obolo) (1⁄48) |
| Valuta | Groschen (1188-1534) |
| Composizione | Billon (.08406 silver) |
| Peso | 0.54 g |
| Diametro | 16 mm |
| Spessore | |
| Forma | Round |
| Tecnica | Hammered |
| Orientamento | |
| Incisore/i | |
| In circolazione fino al | |
| Riferimento/i | MIR#194, Munt#2, Berman#179 |
| Descrizione del dritto | T V S on field around a dot. |
|---|---|
| Scrittura del dritto | Latin |
| Legenda del dritto |
✠ PP BENEDIC (Translation: Pontiff of Pontiffs Benedict) |
| Descrizione del rovescio | Cross |
| Scrittura del rovescio | Latin |
| Legenda del rovescio |
✠ •DVODECIMO• (Translation: Twelfth) |
| Bordo | |
| Zecca | |
| Tiratura |
ND (1334-1342) - - |
| ID Numisquare | 3206658430 |
| Informazioni aggiuntive |
Historical Context: The 1 Picciolo of Benedict XII, struck in Macerata (1334-1342), emerges from the Avignon Papacy. Pope Benedict XII (Jacques Fournier) was known for austerity and reform. With Popes residing in Avignon, administration of the Italian Papal States was complex. Macerata, a key city in the March of Ancona, issued these small billon coins for local commerce, underscoring the era's decentralized control and economic necessities.
Artistry: The Picciolo's design, typical of medieval Italian low-denomination coinage, prioritizes legibility given the small 16mm flan and billon composition. While specific engravers are unrecorded, the stylistic school is functional and stylized. Common Papal States motifs include a central cross on one side, often surrounded by the Pope’s name or partial legend. The reverse features a simplified papal emblem, like the keys of St. Peter or the papal tiara, rendered abstractly due to limited space.
Technical/Grading: As a low-silver billon coin (.08406), the 1 Picciolo frequently exhibits wear, corrosion, and irregular planchets. High-points for preservation are central design elements, such as the cross intersection or prominent emblem features. Due to the small module and 14th-century manual striking, strikes are often off-center, weakly impressed, and show uneven metal flow. This results in partial legends or obscured devices. Clear central motifs and discernible legends are desirable, despite inherent production limitations.