Medieval numismatics

Francesco Sapio Vitrano, Miscellany of Ancient Coins, Società generale pubblicità, Palermo 1966, pp. 157, 37 plates reproducing coins, 1 folded geographical plate, 28 cm, solid full cloth binding with dust jacket.

Limited edition work. Numbered and signed by the author.

Contents: Introduction; Consulted texts; Metals; Counterfeits; Greek monetary system; Some abbreviations; Minting cities; Roman monetary system; Minted magistrates of the Republic; Abbreviations on republican coins; The various monetary reforms of the imperial period; Imperial mints and their abbreviations; Coiners during the civil wars; Empire: Emperors and their depicted relatives; Abbreviations on imperial coins; Legends common to different Emperors; Legends on Alexandrian coins; Byzantine monetary system; Coiners of the Byzantine period; Main mints for the Eastern Empires; Technological nomenclature; Historical-numismatic summary of Sicily; Greek coins - descriptions of the tables; Main texts and periodicals cited; Gaul; Italy; Bruttium; Campania; Lucania; Sicily; Africa; Zeugitania; Ptolemaic dynasty; Cyrenaica; Libya; Mauretania; Mainland Greece and Islands; Thrace; Kingdom of Thrace; Macedonia; Kingdom of Macedonia; Thessaly; Aetolia; Phocidia; Boeotia; Attica; Islands of Aegina and Corinth; Peloponnese; Crete; Asia; Kings of Pontus; Paphlagonia; Mysia; Island of Lesbos; Ionia; Caria; Carian dynasties; Island of Rhodes; Kings of Lydia; Lycian dynasties; Pamphylia; Island of Cyprus; Kingdom of Syria; Phoenicia; Achaemenid kings; Roman coins - description of the tables; Main texts and periodicals cited; Republic; Civil wars (48-30 BC); Empire; Contorniati; Byzantine coins - description of the tables; Main texts and periodicals cited; Weights; Numismatic tables; Greek coins; Roman coins; Byzantine coins.

Dust jacket with traces of use, some tears and minor losses, slight foxing in the text, otherwise in good condition.

Uncommon publication.

P. Lambros, Illustration of two unpublished coins struck by the counts of Salona (translation from the Greek), Typography of Laconia, Athens 1866, pp. 9, beautiful illustrations reproducing the coins examined, 20 cm, br. and. suit protected by contemporary cardboard.

Publication embellished by the author's autograph dedication to the numismatist and archaeologist Pellegrino Tonini (1824-1884).

In exceptional state of conservation.

Extremely rare, missing in all specialized libraries repertoriate.

Leodegar Coraggioni, Munzgeschichte der Schweiz, Paul Stroehlin, Luzern 1896, pp. XI, 184, richly illustrated, 50 splendid phototype plates reproducing over 2000 coins, 32 cm, fine binding with gold titles on the spine and front cover, black embossed decorations on the covers, red edges.

An impressive monograph dedicated to Swiss monetary history.

Small ownership stamp imprinted in gold on the front cover, similar ownership stamp on the title page.

Exceptional preservation with very fresh paper.

Extremely rare original edition.

Bernardino Biondelli, On the Gold Coins of the Goths in Italy. Observations, Giuseppe Bernardoni Printing House, Milan 1861, pp. 25, 1 splendid plate depicting coins, 25 cm, contemporary blank back cover.

A significant contribution dedicated to Gothic gold coinage in Italy, in which the author addresses attribution issues with the scholarly rigor typical of the finest nineteenth-century numismatic tradition. Of particular interest is the illustrated plate, which clearly documents the types examined in the text.

In excellent condition. Extremely rare.

Remo Cappelli, Study of the coins of the Salerno mint, Staderini Editore, Rome 1972, pp. XLVII, 85, 6 plates, black and white illustrations, 28 cm, br. ed.

Numbered copy.

In perfect condition.

Carl Arnold Willemsen, Uber die goldaugustalen kaiser Friedrichs II. Und ihren zeugniswert fur die sogenannten portrate des kaisers, Tipografia del Sud, Bari 1971, pp. 117-126, 5 tables. Augustal reproductions, 25 cm.

A study of considerable numismatic and iconographic interest, dedicated to the Augustales of Frederick II of Swabia and their documentary value in defining the emperor's official image. This contribution falls within the more specialized strand of twentieth-century studies on Frederick II, rigorously addressing the relationship between the monetary portrait and the medieval figurative tradition.

In perfect condition. Extremely rare.

Tommaso Bertelè, The Winged Emperor in Byzantine Numismatics, P. & P. Santamaria, Rome 1951, pp. 114, ill., 9 plates, 22 cm, br. ed.

Series of numismatic studies, 1.

Expanded version of the paper presented by Bertelè, a distinguished scholar of Byzantine numismatics, at the VIII International Congress of Byzantine Studies (Palermo, 1951), dedicated to the iconography of the winged emperor in medieval Byzantine coinage.

Slight signs of wear, otherwise in excellent condition.

Rare.

Elio Biaggi, Gualtiero Giustetto, Elio Spinoni, General treatise on medieval numismatics. With historical-numismatic information of all the mints of the lands of Greek-Latin civilization from 395 d. C. to 1500, vol. I, Coins in the history of the Western Roman Empire, L'Artistica, Savigliano 1978, pp. 128, richly illustrated, 30 cm, binding on the entire editorial canvas with titles and decorations in gold on the spine and on the front plate.

The first volume of this work was the only one published.

Text embellished by Elio Spinoni's autograph dedication to the first guard card.

In excellent condition. Rare.

Mirco Pezzini, Mint of Lucca, Coins from the 7th to the 18th century, Catalogue of a collection, sn, sl 2005, pp. 288, richly illustrated, 30 cm, hardback ed.

A comprehensive and detailed volume on the coinage of Lucca from the early Middle Ages to the modern age, complete with extensive illustrations.

Slight traces of use on the spine, otherwise in excellent condition.

Very rare.

Lucia Travaini, Hohenstaufen and Angevin Denari of Sicily and Southern Italy: their Mint Attributions, Royal Numismatic Society, London 1993, pp. 93-135, 10 plates, 23 cm, br. and.

The publication presents itself as an organic and in-depth update of the traditional repertoires of Swabian and Angevin denarii of the Kingdom of Sicily up to Charles I of Anjou. At the same time, through a careful examination of the sources, the systematic analysis of the finds and the proposal of new mint attributions, it offers an original contribution to the monetary history of Southern Italy in the 13th century. The text lists the entire production of denarii issued by Henry VI, Frederick II, Conrad, Corradino, Manfred and Charles I of Anjou (1194-1285), divided into 114 main types, all illustrated with drawings or photographs. Of these, at least ten are absent from Rodolfo Spahr's repertoire, having been identified only after the publication of his work (1976). The Kingdom of Sicily was administratively divided into two areas, each served by its own mint: Palermo and, subsequently, Messina for the insular part; Brindisi and, briefly, Manfredonia for the continental part. The denarii produced in the two areas were of different types, despite being theoretically intended for circulation throughout the Kingdom. However, the evidence from the finds suggests a different reality: circulation appears largely confined to the respective minting areas. In this sense, the isolated finds and hoards, carefully documented by Lucia Travaini, prove crucial for a more reliable attribution of the mints, allowing us to revise numerous traditional assignments. The picture that emerges is particularly clear: among the types attested in the finds, only two appear in both areas of the Kingdom, while all the others are limited to just one of them, indicating a substantial lack of mobility of the small coin between the two parts. Furthermore, a significant increase in denarii can be observed in isolated finds starting from around 1238, a fact which fits coherently with the financial policy of Frederick II and his successors, who resorted to progressively debased issues, employed as an effective tool for feeding the state coffers.

In excellent condition.

Historia aurea, The Gold Coins of the Civic Museum of Lodi, edited by Novella Vismara, Comune di Lodi, Lodi 2008, pp. 63, richly illustrated in color, 24 cm, hardback ed.

Catalogue published on the occasion of the Lodi exhibition held from 20 December 2008 to 19 January 2009, dedicated to the gold coins preserved at the Civic Museum of Lodi, from ancient to modern times, with the addition of gold medals and, finally, examples from the mints of Lodi and Piacenza.

In perfect condition. Extremely rare.

Raffaele Paolucci, The coins of the doges of Venice, Riccardo Paolucci Editore, Padova 1990, pp. 185, richly illustrated, 31 cm, full cloth binding, with titles on the spine, front cover and dust jacket.

In excellent condition. Rare.

Raffaele Paolucci, The coins of the doges of Venice. Evaluations updated to 1997, Raffaele Paolucci Editore, Padua 1997, pp. 31, richly illustrated, 28 cm, br. and.

Text in Italian and English.

In perfect condition. Extremely rare.

Gaetano De Minicis, Numismatica ascolana o sia Dichiarazione delle Colline Antiche di Ascoli nel Piceno, published by Gaetano Paccasassi, Fermo 1853, pp. VIII, 72, 2 splendid plates, 31 cm, paperback edition with titles within an elegant frame, protected by a contemporary silent booklet.

Elegant ex libris on the back of the last plate.

Minor flaw in the margin of the back cover, otherwise in excellent condition with fresh paper and wide margins.

Very rare.

Arturo G. Sambon, Engravers of the Neapolitan Coinage, Tipografia LF Cogliati, Milan 1893, pp. 16 p., ill., 2 splendid plates covered with tissue paper, 27 cm, brochure, ed. protected by a contemporary, silent brochure.

Elegant ex libris on the back cover.

Some foxing on the plates, but overall a good copy.

Very rare.

Maria Amalia De Luca, The coins with Arabic legends from the Palermo Municipal Library, introduction by Filippo Guttuso, Part I, sn, Palermo 1998, pp. XXXIX, 399, richly illustrated, 31 cm, elegant cloth binding with gold titles and decorations on the covers and spine.

Aere Perennius Collection. Catalogs, 1.

At the top of the title page: City of Palermo, Department of Culture, Municipal Library.

Part I was the only one published. It is a work of considerable scientific interest, crafted with rigorous descriptive criteria and accompanied by high-quality illustrations.

Inside is a note from the Director of the Palermo Municipal Library, a direct testimony to the institutional context of the publication.

In perfect condition. Extremely rare.

Memmo Cagiati, The Coins of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies from Charles I of Anjou to Vittorio Emanuele II, Naples 1911–1937, together with the related Supplement, Naples 1911–1915, and complementary studies, in 5 vols.

The lot is composed as follows:

The Coins of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies from Charles I of Anjou to Vittorio Emanuele II, Fascicle I, The Mint of Naples, Angevins and Durazzeschi (1266–1442), Tipografia Melfi & Joele, Naples 1911, pp. 74, richly illustrated, cm 28, sumptuous contemporary binding in black half morocco with pronounced grain, spine with five raised bands, gilt titles within compartments framed by wavy gilt fillets, marbled paper boards with broad mottled fields in shades of blue and red crossed by thin yellow-gilt veins, sprinkled edges. On the title page an autograph dedication by the author to the firm Spink & Son Ltd of London. Edition of 300 copies signed and hand-numbered by Cagiati on the verso of the title page: the present copy no. 93.

Bound with: Fascicle II, The Mint of Naples, Aragonese (1442–1503), Tipografia Melfi & Joele, Naples 1911, pp. 158, richly illustrated. On the title page stamp “Author’s complimentary copy”. Edition of 300 copies signed and hand-numbered by Cagiati on the verso of the title page: the present copy no. 44.

Bound with: Fascicle III, The Mint of Naples, Spanish Domination (1503–1598), Tipografia Melfi & Joele, Naples 1911, pp. 173, richly illustrated. On the title page stamp “Author’s complimentary copy”. Edition of 300 copies signed and hand-numbered by Cagiati on the verso of the title page: the present copy no. 63.

Bound with: Fascicle IV, The Mint of Naples, Spanish Domination (1598–1734), Tipografia Melfi & Joele, Naples 1911, pp. 174–358 richly illustrated. On the title page stamp “Author’s complimentary copy”. Edition of 300 copies signed and hand-numbered by Cagiati on the verso of the title page: the present copy no. 60 bearing the author’s delivery stamp.

Bound with: Fascicle V, The Mint of Naples, Bourbons (1734–1859), Kingdom of Italy (1861–1867), Tipografia Melfi & Joele, Naples 1912, pp. 181, richly illustrated. Edition of 300 copies signed and hand-numbered by Cagiati on the verso of the title page: the present copy no. 55 bearing the author’s delivery stamp.

Additionally: The Coins of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies from Charles I of Anjou to Vittorio Emanuele II, Fascicle VI, The Minor Mints of the Kingdom of Naples, Mints of Alvito, Amatrice, Aquila, Atri and Ville, Avella, Barletta, Belmonte, Brindisi, Tipografia Melfi & Joele, Naples 1913, pp. 103, richly illustrated, cm 28, sumptuous contemporary binding in black half morocco with pronounced grain, spine with five raised bands, gilt titles within compartments framed by wavy gilt fillets, marbled paper boards with broad mottled fields in shades of blue and red crossed by thin yellow-gilt veins, sprinkled edges. Edition of 300 copies signed and hand-numbered by Cagiati on the verso of the title page: the present copy no. 138 bearing the author’s delivery stamp.

Bound with: Fascicle VII, The Minor Mints of the Kingdom of Naples, Mints of Campobasso, Capua, Catanzaro, Chieti, Civitaducale, Cosenza, Fondi, Gaeta, Guardiagrele, Isernia, Lanciano, Lecce, Luco, Tipografia Melfi & Joele, Naples 1915, pp. 104–199, richly illustrated. Edition of 300 copies signed and hand-numbered by Cagiati on the verso of the title page: the present copy no. 138 bearing the author’s delivery stamp.

Bound with: Fascicle VIII, The Minor Mints of the Kingdom of Naples, Mints of Manoppello, Ortona, Pizzo, Reggio, S. Giorgio, Sansevero, Sora, Sulmona, Tagliacozzo, Teramo, Tocco, Torre del Greco, Vasto + Appendix (Orbetello, Rome), Tipografia Melfi & Joele, Naples 1916, pp. 200–318, richly illustrated. Edition of 300 copies signed and hand-numbered by Cagiati on the verso of the title page: the present copy no. 138 bearing the author’s delivery stamp.

Additionally: The Coins of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies from Charles I of Anjou to Vittorio Emanuele II, Fascicle IX, The Sicilian Mints, Mint of Messina (1266–1516), Tipografia Melfi & Joele, Naples 1916, pp. 156, richly illustrated, cm 29, solid binding in full black cloth with gilt titles and fillets on the spine. Edition of 300 copies signed and hand-numbered by Cagiati on the verso of the title page: the present copy no. 62 bearing the author’s delivery stamp.

Bound with: Fascicle X, The Sicilian Mints, Mint of Messina (1516–1598), Tipografia Joele & Aliberti, Naples 1937, richly illustrated. Posthumous edition of 250 copies numbered and signed by Eugenia Majorana, Cagiati’s stepdaughter, on the verso of the title page: the present copy no. 175.

Additionally: The Supplement to the work The Coins of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies from Charles I of Anjou to Vittorio Emanuele II, Naples, year I, 5 fascicles, August–December 1911, richly illustrated, cm 29, solid binding in full black cloth with gilt titles and fillets on the spine.

Bound with: Year II, 8 fascicles, January–December 1912, richly illustrated.

Bound with: Some authoritative opinions and reviews on the work The Coins of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies from Charles I of Anjou to Vittorio Emanuele II, Naples 1912, pp. 16, elegant pink paper.

Additionally: Supplement to the work The Coins of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies from Charles I of Anjou to Vittorio Emanuele II, Naples, year III, 5 fascicles, January–December 1913, richly illustrated, cm 26, sumptuous contemporary binding in black half morocco with pronounced grain, spine with five raised bands, gilt titles within compartments framed by wavy gilt fillets, marbled paper boards with broad mottled fields in shades of blue and red crossed by thin yellow-gilt veins, sprinkled edges.

Bound with: Year IV, 3 fascicles, January–December 1914, richly illustrated.

Bound with: Year V, 2 fascicles, January–December 1915, richly illustrated.

Bound with: Coins attributed to certain cities of Calabria from the 15th to the 18th century, Tipografia di Enrico M. Muca, Naples 1913, pp. 29, richly illustrated. On the title page stamp “Author’s complimentary copy”.

Bound with: The Coins of the Great Count Roger pertaining to the mint of Mileto, Tipografia di Enrico M. Muca, Naples 1913, pp. 15, richly illustrated. On the title page stamp “Author’s complimentary copy”.

Bound with: A correction to the classification of coins struck at the mint of Messina by Frederick II and Frederick III of Aragon, Tipografia di Enrico M. Muca, Naples 1913, pp. 11, richly illustrated. On the title page stamp “Author’s complimentary copy”.

Important and complete set comprising the ten fascicles of Cagiati’s work, accompanied by the Supplement and complementary writings by the author. The presence of the tenth fascicle, which remained unpublished until 1937 and appeared posthumously, notoriously lacking in many sets, further increases its interest. Of exceptional numismatic and bibliographical significance, it is enhanced by copies signed and hand-numbered, as well as by dedications and complimentary stamps by the author. A monumental work and a pinnacle of twentieth-century Italian numismatic literature, in which the scholar’s rigour is joined with the sensitivity of the collector. With its systematic structure and extraordinary iconographic richness, Cagiati shaped the most accomplished synthesis on the coinages of Southern Italy, marking the transition from nineteenth-century antiquarian tradition to a modern awareness of the discipline. Even today the work remains an indispensable tool and one of the greatest bibliographical monuments of Italian numismatics.

The 1911 issue of the Supplement is bound after that of 1912, most likely for practical reasons, the latter being of larger format.

Overall in excellent condition.

A set of remarkable rarity.

Quintilio Perini, Le moneta di Verona, Ugo Grandi & C. Editori, Rovereto 1902, pp. 110 with black and red title page, richly illustrated, 28 cm, bound in all black cloth with gold titles on the spine.

Edition of 300 numbered copies, this is no. 16.

A classic work of Veronese numismatics, in which the author, a distinguished numismatist and historian, systematically collects and describes the mintings of the city of Verona, accompanying them with illustrations and detailed historical and typological observations. The work, the fruit of careful research, remains a fundamental contribution to the study of local coinage.

In excellent condition.

Very rare original edition.

J. Charvet, Origines du pouvoir temporel des papes précisées par la numismatique, E. Dentu, Paris 1865, pp. 172 with refined frontispiece depicting Saint Peter seated on a throne within a frame, richly illustrated with splendid coin engravings, 28 cm, br. and.

An interesting study in which the author explores the origins of the popes' temporal power in light of the evidence provided by monetary documentation. The work is published in a large format, typical of some French scholarly publications from the second half of the nineteenth century: a choice that lends the volume a distinctive typographical elegance and makes it particularly easy to consult.

Untouched and in excellent condition. Very rare.

Benjamin Fillon, Considérations historiques et artisticiques sur les monnaies de France, Robuchon, Fontenay-Vendée 1850, pp. XI, 252, richly illustrated, 4 plates. finely engraved, 22 cm, br. and.

Untouched and in perfect condition, with very fresh paper.

Very rare.

Alberto Varesi, Italian Regional Coins. Emilia, Edizioni Numismatica Varesi, Pavia 1998, pp. 313, richly illustrated, 25 cm, hardback.

Excellent condition.

Enrique Flórez, Medallas de las colonias municipios y pueblos antiguos de Espana, en la Oficina de Antonio Marin, Madrid 1757, pp. XVI, 408 with a black and red title page, finely engraved headpieces, tailpieces, and initials, richly illustrated, 23 copperplates of refined execution, 1 large folding map, 25 cm, finely bound in half morocco with beautiful natural grain, gold fillets and titles on a burgundy label on the spine, edges decorated with polychrome marbling with hand-finished details.

Bound with: Henrique Florez, Medallas de las colonias municipios y pueblos antiguos de Espana, Parte Segunda, en la Oficina de Antonio Marin, Madrid 1758, pp. II, 409-681, richly illustrated, 24-58 finely engraved copperplate plates.

Bound with: M. Mahudel, Dissertation historique sur les monnoyes antiques d'Espagne, chez Le Mercier Lottin Josse le Fils Et Briasson, Paris 1725, pp. II, 59, richly illustrated, 16 finely engraved copperplates.

The volume includes the first two parts of Florez's work, which consists of three parts overall (the third was printed well after the first two, in 1773), and Mahudel's essay, making it an uncommonly rare collection. Elegant blind stamps on the plates and back cover, some ink stamps on the pages, and an ex libris with an overprinted stamp of elimination from an old library.

A copy with notable bibliographic presence, in excellent condition with fresh paper and wide margins.

Very rare.

Luigi Simonetti, Medieval and Modern Italian Coins, House of Savoy, 3 volumes, Tipografia Poggiali, Ravenna 1967-1969, 1308 pp. in total, richly illustrated, 25 cm, beautiful green full leather binding with gold titles and decorations on the spine and covers.

Volume I, From Oddone Conte (1056) to Carlo Emanuele I Duca (1630), 1967, pp. 485.

Volume II, From Vittorio Amedeo I (1630) to Vittorio Emanuele I (1821), 1968, pp. 386.

Volume III, From Victor Emmanuel II (1861) to Victor Emmanuel III (1946). Coinage Abroad. Monetary Weights, 1969, pp. 437.

A remarkable publishing undertaking by Luigi Simonetti, which still today constitutes an essential tool for the study and cataloguing of Savoy coinage from the 11th to the 20th century.

In excellent condition.

Documentary and bibliographic exhibition on the Vespers with displays of medieval ceramics and coins, edited by Antonio Manfrè, Civica Galleria d'Arte Moderna, Palermo 1982, without pagination (but 126 pp.), richly illustrated, 20x20 cm, br. ed.

Catalogue of the exhibition held at the Civic Gallery of Modern Art in Palermo from April 3 to August 3, 1982, promoted by the Committee for the Celebrations of the Seventh Centenary of the Sicilian Vespers, with the support of the Regional Department of Cultural Heritage. Presentations by, among others, Romualdo Giuffrida and Antonio Manfrè himself. The numismatic section (pp. 14) is edited by Franco D'Angelo and includes an introduction, images, and descriptions of 24 specimens, divided into the following sections: Swabian denarii, foreign coins, coins of the revolts, and "grossi" denarii. The catalog also documents diplomas and codices, works, and historical memoirs of primary importance, including various editions of Michele Amari's "La Guerra del Vespro Siciliano," with materials from the Palermo Municipal Library, the Central Library, and the Sicilian Society for National History, alongside a significant selection of parchments and registers from the Palermo State Archives and the Historical Archives of the Municipality of Palermo. In excellent condition.

Very rare.