Catalog
| Issuer | Savoy, Duchy of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1559-1567 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1 Groschen (Grosso) (1⁄15) |
| Currency | Lira |
| Composition | Billon |
| Weight | 1.86 g |
| Diameter | 25 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | MIR#532, Biaggi#448 |
| Obverse description | Crowned Savoy shield, 2 knots on sides |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | + E : PHILIBERTVS : DVX : SABAVDIE |
| Reverse description | Cross of San Maurizio Order, in a lobed frame. Two paired dots in each quadrant. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering |
+ AVXILIVM : MEVM : A : DOMINO : (date and initials) (Translation: My help comes from the Lord) |
| Edge | |
| Mint |
Aosta, Italy Bourg-en-Bresse, France Chambéry, France |
| Mintage |
1559 - Aosta - ND (1559-1567) - no date, no initials - ND (1559-1567) BO - no date (Bourg) - 1560 - Bourg - 1561 - Bourg - 1565 - EB - Etienne Bourges (Chambéry) - 1567 - P - Cristoforo Porro (Bourg) - |
| Numisquare ID | 1934083310 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The Grosso, 4th type, issued by Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy (1559-1567), marks a pivotal era for the Duchy. After the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis in 1559, Emanuele Filiberto regained ancestral territories from French and Spanish occupation. This period saw the consolidation of Savoyard power, significant administrative and military reforms, and the capital's strategic shift to Turin. This coinage reflects his renewed sovereignty and economic stabilization, crucial for the House of Savoy's future.
Artistry: While specific engraver details for this billon type are typically unrecorded, the Grosso exemplifies mid-16th century Renaissance numismatic artistry. The obverse likely features a stern, armored bust of Emanuele Filiberto, rendered in a realistic, though often simplified, portrait style. The reverse typically displays a prominent ducal or Savoyard cross, often within a geometric design, emphasizing dynastic authority and religious symbolism. The aesthetic, constrained by the billon medium, prioritizes clarity in conveying the ruler's image and heraldic identity.
Technical/Grading: Struck on a 25mm billon flan (1.86 grams), this Grosso often presents technical challenges. High-points on the obverse bust include prominent facial features (nose, chin) and armor. On the reverse, the center and extremities of the Savoyard cross are most susceptible to wear or weak strike. Billon coinage of this era frequently exhibits irregular flans, variable strike pressure causing off-center or partial legends, and inherent surface granularity. Well-preserved examples with full detail and clear legends are highly desirable.