1 Quattrino

Historical Context: The 1 Quattrino, issued by the Siena Republic between 1404 and 1555, represents a crucial fractional denomination within the economic landscape of central Italy during the late medieval and early Renaissance periods. Siena, a fiercely independent city-state, rivaled Florence for regional dominance, maintaining its republican autonomy until its final conquest in 1555. This billon coinage facilitated daily commerce, underscoring Siena's vibrant economy and its capacity for independent minting, reflecting the city's political and financial self-sufficiency amidst the complex interplay of Italian powers. The broad issuance period highlights the Quattrino's consistent utility and the republic's enduring sovereignty.

Artistry: While specific engravers for these utilitarian billon issues are rarely documented, the 1 Quattrino likely emerged from the Sienese mint workshops, adhering to the prevailing stylistic conventions of the early Italian Renaissance. Numismatic artistry on such small, low-value coins prioritized legibility and civic identity over elaborate detail. Designs typically featured a simplified representation of a Sienese civic emblem, such as the distinctive 'S' monogram or a variant of the city's wolf and twins, often paired with a simple cross or a patron saint on the reverse. The aesthetic reflects a blend of late Gothic simplicity with nascent Renaissance clarity, characteristic of the era's functional coinage.

Technical/Grading: The 1 Quattrino, struck in billon on an 18mm flan, presents specific challenges for grading. High-points susceptible to wear typically include the central devices, such as the raised elements of a cross or the highest relief of any civic emblem. Due to the nature of billon alloys and minting techniques of the period, technical strike qualities often vary significantly. Irregular flans, weak or off-center strikes, and planchet imperfections are common. A well-centered example with full legends and clear design elements, exhibiting minimal corrosion, would be considered exceptional, as the alloy's composition often leads to surface granularity and environmental degradation.