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1 Testone - Annibale Albani Sede Vacante
| Issuer | Papal States |
|---|---|
| Year | 1724 |
| Type | Commemorative circulation coin |
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| Obverse description | Central shield bearing the heraldic arms of Cardinal Annibale Albani, flanked by two elaborate foliate supporters and surmounted by a cardinal's hat with pendant tassels. Above the shield, the papal umbraculum (ombrellino) is prominently displayed, symbolising the authority of the Sede Vacante. The circular Latin legend is divided across the upper and lower fields, reading SEDE VACANTE MDCCXXIV. The coin's milled border frames the entire composition. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The Holy Spirit depicted as a radiant dove with wings outstretched, descending in glory amid dense rays of light emanating from a central point to fill the entire field, with wisps of cloud surrounding the figure. Below the dove, a small cardinal's shield rests on a horizontal line at the base of the design. The circular Latin legend, taken from John 14:18, runs along the entire periphery of the coin just within the milled edge. |
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| Additional information |
Annibale Albani served as Cardinal Camerlengo during the sede vacante of 1724, the interregnum following the death of Innocent XIII in March of that year. The Camerlengo held exclusive authority to strike coinage during a vacancy — one of the few executive powers that survived the pope's death intact — making these issues a direct expression of that constitutional peculiarity of the papal government. The conclave lasted only a matter of weeks before Benedict XIII was elected in late May.
Albani was a nephew of Clement XI, which positioned him at the center of the Albani faction's ultimately failed effort to influence the conclave outcome.