Sale: Triton XIII, Lot: 1851. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Monday, 4 January 2010.  Sold For $1000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Mantova (Duchi). Francesco II Gonzaga. 1484–1519. BI Sesino (1.46 g, 9h). · FR · MAR · MANTVE · IIII ·, armored bust left / XPI · IHESV · SANGVINI ·, female figure seated left on arms, holding pyx; MANT in exergue. CNI IV 89 var. (rev. legend); Morosini 23; Furga -; Biaggi 1163. Near EF, toned.

Ex Morten & Eden (28 November 2006), lot 626.

A career condottiero, Francesco II Gonzaga was a leader of the Holy League formed by Pope Julius II against the Venetians. During his military absences, Mantova was ruled in his place by his wife, Isabella d’Este, the daughter of Ercole I d’Este and Leonora di Napoli. Highly educated, influential, and sophisticated, she was one of the leading women of the Italian Renaissance.