Nomos 2

ITALY. Ferrara. Borso d’Este, 1450-14. Ducato (Gold, 22 mm, 3.54 g, 3 h), undated, but struck 1450-1452. +BORSIVS.MARChIO.ESTENS Quartered arms of Este within a circular field. Rev. SVRESIT.XPS.SPES MEA Christ, nimbate, rising from the tomb, raising right hand in benediction and holding banner in his left. Bellesia 1/C. Biaggi 759. CNI X, p. 429, 3 var. Fr. 260. Of great rarity, one of only five known examples. Clear and most attractive. Extremely fine.

Ex Hess-Divo 300, 27 October 2004, 1174, from A Private Collection, Leu 68, 22 October1996, 173, and from the collection of Conte Alessandro Magnaguti, VI, Santamaria, 28 January 1954, 85.

Borso d’Este, the last Marquis and first Duke of Ferrara, was probably Ferrara’s most popular ruler. He was extremely bright and after succeeding to the marquisate of Ferrara he managed to be crowned duke of Modena and Reggio by the emperor Frederick III in 1452. He then spent a great deal of effort charming the Pope in order to be crowned duke of Ferrara as well. He finally managed this with Paul II and was crowned on Easter Day, 14 April 1471 in old St. Peter’s. Unfortunately the excitement lowered his resistance and he died from an attack of malaria on 19 August. This coin was his first gold issue, struck in the interval between his accession in 1450 and his coronation as duke of Modena and Reggio in 1452.