Grossetto - Carlo Emmanuele I 3rd type

Carlo Emanuele I ruled Savoy for fifty years, and his coinage reflects the dynasty's perpetual scramble to maintain credibility across French, Spanish, and Italian spheres simultaneously. The grossetto underwent repeated type revisions during his reign — this third type representing one of several attempts to stabilize a debased billon currency that was quietly hemorrhaging against heavier silver issues circulating throughout northern Italy.

Billon fineness on Savoyard small change of this period varied considerably between mint runs, and contemporary merchants routinely discounted these pieces at exchange.