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2 Doppie - Carlo II Gonzaga
| Issuer | Mantua, Duchy of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1637-1647 |
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| Currency | Scudo |
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| Obverse description | Conjoined busts of Maria Gonzaga, veiled and draped, and Carlo II Gonzaga, armored, facing left, rendered in high relief in the Baroque manner. The effigies are presented in jugate format with Maria positioned slightly behind Carlo, both portraits exhibiting fine detail in the drapery and armor chasing. A beaded inner border frames the design, with the Latin legend disposed around the periphery of the field. The portrait style is characteristic of mid-seventeenth century Italian medallic art, displaying naturalistic facial features and elaborate costume detail. |
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| Obverse lettering | MARIA. ET. CAR. II. D. G. D. MAN. ET. M. F. ET. C. |
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| Additional information |
Carlo II inherited the Duchy of Mantua as a minor following the catastrophic War of the Mantuan Succession, during which imperial troops had sacked the city in 1630 with a thoroughness that left the population decimated and the treasury gutted. His regency period under the Duchess of Nevers meant actual ducal authority was contested well into his nominal reign, and coinage production during these years was intermittent at best.
The MIR 678a variety is distinguished from the related 678 by subtle differences in the die cutting of the reverse field — a distinction that matters considerably to specialists working this series.