Doppio Ducato - Ludovico II

Historical Context: Ludovico II, Marquis of Saluzzo (reigned 1474-1504), issued this Doppio Ducato during a complex period for his independent marquisate in Piedmont. Situated between powerful neighbors, Ludovico navigated political and military challenges, striving to maintain Saluzzo's autonomy. The issuance of such a substantial gold denomination underscored his sovereignty and economic ambition, serving as a tangible symbol of the marquisate's independent status and its ruler's authority in an era of shifting alliances.

Artistry: While the specific engraver remains unrecorded, the coin’s design reflects late 15th-century Italian Renaissance aesthetics, typical of smaller mints. Doppio Ducato designs often featured the ruler's effigy or a prominent coat of arms on the obverse, asserting personal and dynastic authority. The reverse typically bore a religious motif or heraldic device, executed with a blend of traditional gothic rigidity and nascent Renaissance naturalism, emphasizing clarity of inscription and symbolic representation.

Technical/Grading: Struck in gold (6.93 gg, 28 mm), this Doppio Ducato typically exhibits a strong strike, benefiting from the metal's malleability. Key high-points for evaluation include finer details of the ruler's portraiture or intricacies of the heraldic devices, such as crown or shield elements. Minor variations in strike pressure or planchet preparation might lead to slight areas of weakness, but well-preserved examples should display crisp legends and clear design elements, indicative of careful minting for this significant denomination.