Quattrino Right facing knight

Historical Context: The Quattrino, issued by the City of Ancona between 1400 and 1500, emerges from a period of significant geopolitical flux for the Adriatic maritime republic. Ancona, while often nominally under papal suzerainty, fiercely maintained its independence, leveraging its strategic port and mercantile prowess. This era saw the city navigating complex relations with the Papal States, Venice, and other regional powers, asserting its autonomy through its coinage. The billon Quattrino served as a vital component of daily commerce, reflecting the city's economic vitality and self-governance.

Artistry: The design of this Quattrino, featuring a right-facing knight, exemplifies the provincial Italian numismatic artistry of the late Gothic to early Renaissance period. While specific engravers for such low-denomination billon issues are rarely identifiable, the stylistic school prioritizes clear, albeit simplified, iconography over intricate detail. The knight motif likely symbolizes Ancona's civic defense, military strength, or the local militia crucial for protecting its independence and trade routes. The execution, given the small flan size and billon composition, would have been functional rather than highly refined.

Technical/Grading: Struck on a 16 mm billon flan weighing 0.67 grams, this Quattrino typically exhibits characteristics common to low-value coinage of the era. High-points for the knight design would include the helmet, shield, and shoulder, which are often the first areas to show wear or weak strike. Technical strike qualities frequently include off-center strikes, irregular flans, and incomplete legends due to rapid production and the inherent challenges of striking billon. Minor planchet flaws or cracks are also common, reflecting the utilitarian nature of these coins.