Italy, Florence, Alessandro de Medici, silver testone, c. 1534, dies by Benvenuto Cellini (1500-71).
According to his autobiography, Cellini cut dies for five denominations of coins for Alessandro de Medici; the resultant coinage was considered by the Duke to be the finest in the Christian world.
VF+, excellent portrait, old collection tone. Rare, and uncontestably one of the most beautiful coins of the Italian Renaissance.
MIR 103
ex-J.Eric Engstrom collection, with his ticket; bt. Stack's 14 August 2013, lot 13236 ($3500 hammer)