3 Scudi - Sebastiano Ferrero

Historical Context: The 1570 3 Scudi coin was issued by the Abbey of Fruttuaria, an Imperial Abbey within the Italian States, during the abbacy of Sebastiano Ferrero. As a powerful ecclesiastical principality, Fruttuaria enjoyed significant temporal authority, including the right to mint its own coinage. Ferrero’s issuance of this substantial gold denomination underscored the Abbey's economic prominence and asserted its sovereign rights and prestige in late Renaissance Italy.

Artistry: While the specific engraver for this piece is not documented, the 3 Scudi would have been produced in the stylistic tradition of Italian Renaissance numismatic art. Such coinage typically featured a dignified portrait of Abbot Sebastiano Ferrero on the obverse, often with his titles. The reverse likely presented the Abbey's coat of arms or a patron saint, perhaps Saint Benignus, rendered with classical inspiration and contemporary religious iconography, reflecting artistic currents in northern Italian mints.

Technical/Grading: Struck in gold with an impressive diameter of 33mm, this 3 Scudi would generally exhibit a strong strike due to the metal's malleability. Key high-points for wear or weakness typically include the highest relief areas of the abbot's portrait, such as hair, nose, and cheekbone, or intricate details within any heraldic devices. Collectors should assess planchet quality for typical irregularities and observe strike consistency, especially in peripheral legends, for signs of die fatigue or minor off-centring.