Gold Bolognino - Giovanni I Bentivoglio

Historical Context: This Gold Bolognino, issued by the Republic of Bologna under Giovanni I Bentivoglio (1401-1402), marks a critical era. Giovanni I, head of the powerful Bentivoglio family, aimed to solidify Bologna's independence from papal and external influences. The minting of this gold coinage underscores the city's economic strength and its aspiration for self-governance, with Bentivoglio effectively holding power despite Bologna's nominal republican status.

Artistry: The anonymous engraver worked within the late Gothic numismatic style, showing nascent Early Renaissance influences. Typical Bolognini of this period featured Saint Petronius, Bologna's patron saint, on one side, complemented by civic or Bentivoglio family heraldry on the reverse. The design emphasized clear, symbolic representations and legible inscriptions, characteristic of Italian minting, prioritizing message over deep sculptural relief.

Technical/Grading: Struck in gold, weighing 3.5 grams and measuring 20 millimeters, this Bolognino exhibits features common to early 15th-century hand-struck coinage. High-points for grading include Saint Petronius's facial details and drapery, or the intricacies of any heraldic shield. Anticipate variations in strike quality, such as off-centering, minor planchet irregularities, and uneven relief, especially at the edges, due to manual production and the gold alloy's properties.