4 Denari - Ercole III d'Este

Historical Context: This 4 Denari coin, issued between 1780 and 1796, represents the twilight years of the Duchy of Modena and Reggio under Ercole III d'Este. As the last sovereign duke of the ancient Este dynasty, Ercole III reigned during a period of escalating political tension in Europe, just prior to the seismic shifts brought by the French Revolutionary Wars. This copper denomination reflects the daily economic needs of his subjects and serves as a tangible artifact from a ducal state on the precipice of its dissolution, ultimately absorbed into the Cispadane Republic in 1796.

Artistry: While the specific engraver for this modest copper issue remains largely unrecorded, the coin’s design adheres to the prevailing numismatic aesthetic of late 18th-century Italian ducal states. The style likely reflects a transition from late Baroque flourishes towards a more restrained, proto-Neoclassical simplicity, typical for utilitarian coinage of the period. The obverse would customarily feature a monogram or a simplified bust of the Duke, while the reverse would display the ducal arms or the denomination, emphasizing legibility over elaborate detail.

Technical/Grading: Struck in copper, this 4 Denari coin measures 16mm and weighs 1.34 grams, indicating its role as a small-denomination currency. For grading purposes, critical high-points to examine for wear would typically include any raised elements of a ducal crown, the highest points of a coat of arms, or the hair/wig details if a bust was depicted. Given the period and metal, strikes can often be irregular, exhibiting minor planchet flaws, weakness in central details, or slight off-centering, which are characteristic rather than defects in lower grades.