2 Doppie - Francesco Filiberto Ferrero-Fieschi

Historical Context: The 2 Doppie of Francesco Filiberto Ferrero-Fieschi is a significant numismatic artifact from the Principality of Masserano, an autonomous Italian State of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Issued 1598-1629, this coin reflects the assertion of sovereign power by Francesco Filiberto, ruler of a strategically important territory. Issuance of substantial gold coinage like the Doppie underscored his wealth, authority, and economic independence in a period of political fluidity and burgeoning mercantilism.

Artistry: While the specific engraver is unrecorded, the design of this 2 Doppie exemplifies late Renaissance and early Baroque artistic trends common in northern Italian mints. The obverse typically features a finely rendered bust of Francesco Filiberto, often in profile, conveying dignity and authority. The reverse likely presented the elaborate armorial bearings of the Ferrero-Fieschi family, perhaps surmounted by a princely crown or a religious motif, executed with skilled craftsmanship.

Technical/Grading: Struck in gold, this 2 Doppie boasts a substantial weight of 13.19 grams and a diameter of 31 mm. Key areas for assessing strike quality and wear include the highest points of the ruler's portrait—such as hair, crown, and shoulder drapery—and intricate details of the armorial shield on the reverse. A well-preserved example exhibits strong luster and a full strike, showing all design elements clearly. Lower grades often show flattening on these high points and loss of finer details, particularly in the legend and smaller heraldic elements.