Catalog
| Obverse description | Flint stone in center, 4 steel strikers alternating with 4 flames around. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | |
| Obverse lettering | PHILIPP III DG REX ARA VT SI |
| Reverse description | Cross of Jerusalem crowned with similar crosses in angles, legend around. |
| Reverse script | |
| Reverse lettering | IN HOC SIGNO VINCES |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (1598-1621) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 1007639550 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This 3 Cavalli copper coin was issued during the reign of Filippo III (Philip III of Spain), who governed the Kingdom of Naples as a Spanish viceroyalty from 1598 to 1621. This era marked a period of continued Spanish Habsburg dominance over Southern Italy, characterized by efforts to consolidate royal authority and manage the kingdom's often strained finances. Copper coinage, such as the Cavallo and its multiples, formed the backbone of daily commerce, providing essential small change for the populace amidst broader economic shifts and the increasing demand for metallic currency within the Spanish Empire's vast territories.
Artistry: The design of this 3 Cavalli piece reflects the prevailing numismatic aesthetic of the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods under Spanish influence. While specific engravers for common copper denominations of this era are rarely documented, the work emanated from the royal mint in Naples. Obverse designs typically feature the crowned monogram of Filippo III, or a stylized bust, conveying royal authority. The reverse commonly displays heraldic devices pertaining to the Kingdom of Naples, such as the Aragonese arms, or the specific "cavalli" (horses) from which the denomination derives its name, executed with a formal, symbolic precision rather than elaborate artistic flourishes.
Technical/Grading: Struck on copper planchets measuring 22 mm and weighing 2.58 grams, these 3 Cavalli coins often exhibit characteristics typical of mass-produced base metal issues of the period. High-points for wear and strike quality would include the highest relief areas of the monarch's crown or monogram on the obverse, and the details of the heraldic elements or horses on the reverse. Due to the nature of copper and the minting technology of the time, strikes can vary significantly, often appearing slightly off-center or exhibiting areas of weakness, particularly on the outer legends. Planchet irregularities, such as minor cracks or unevenness, are also common.