10 Scudi - Charles Emmanuel II

Charles Emmanuel II ruled Savoy under the effective regency of his mother Christine of France until 1663 — the very year this coin was struck — making this issue one of the first large gold pieces he authorized as sole ruler in his own right. The timing is not incidental. The 10 Scudi denomination was a prestige emission, not a workhorse of commerce, and its production coincided directly with the duke asserting independent political authority after years of a contested regency that had fractured the Savoyard court.

At 33.28 g, these are among the heaviest gold pieces in the Italian States series and survivors in any condition are scarce.