Gold Scudo imitating Deventer goldgulden - Anonymous

Historical Context: This anonymous gold scudo, issued by the County of Desana between 1630 and 1631, represents a fascinating episode in early 17th-century Italian numismatics. Desana, a small independent county in Piedmont ruled by the Tizzone family, was strategically located but faced economic pressures typical of the era, compounded by the Thirty Years' War. The decision to imitate a Deventer goldgulden, a widely recognized and trusted trade coin from the Low Countries, was a pragmatic move. It allowed Desana to issue coinage that could circulate more freely in international commerce, bypassing the need for local recognition and potentially generating seigniorage revenue from a respected monetary standard, crucial for a minor state seeking economic stability.

Artistry: As an anonymous issue directly imitating a foreign prototype, the coin's artistry primarily reflects the stylistic conventions of the Deventer goldgulden, adapted by local Italian mint engravers. The original Deventer pieces typically featured a standing figure of St. Lebuinus on the obverse and a florid cross or armorial shield on the reverse, characteristic of Late Renaissance/Early Baroque numismatic art from Northern Europe. The Desana imitation would have striven for a close visual resemblance, prioritizing recognizability over artistic innovation. While the specific engraver remains unknown, their skill lay in replicating the established iconography with sufficient fidelity to ensure the coin's acceptance in broader markets, likely incorporating subtle local interpretations or minor deviations in execution.

Technical/Grading: Struck in gold, weighing 3.1 grams and measuring 23 millimeters, this scudo conforms to the general specifications of its Deventer prototype. Key high-points susceptible to wear would typically include the head, hands, and prominent drapery folds of any standing figure, or the central elements and crown of a heraldic design. Technically, Desana's minting operations, while functional, might exhibit characteristics of smaller mints, such as slightly irregular flans, minor off-center strikes, or areas of weaker impression, particularly on the periphery or highest relief points. Surface quality might reveal original planchet defects or adjustment marks. A well-preserved example would display sharp details on the primary devices and legible legends, indicative of a strong, centered strike on a sound planchet.