The Poet Virgil

Sale: Triton XIII, Lot: 1852. Estimate $100.  Closing Date: Monday, 4 January 2010.  Sold For $425. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Mantova (Duchi). Federico II Gonzaga. 1519–1540. Æ Quattrino (1.38 g, 9h). VIRILIVS MARO (sic), laureate head of Virgil left / EPO above flower. CNI IV 18-9 var. (obv. legend); Morosini -; Rossi, Gonzaga 43; Bignotti 2 (Federico I). Good VF, brown patina.

From the Leonard O. Greenfield Collection.

Inheriting the Marquisate from his father in 1519, it was Federico’s support of Carlos V and imperial forces which allowed the Sack of Rome in 1527. Attempting to further his possessions, Federico signed a marriage contract the heir to the Marquisate of Monteferrat, only to renege when it appeared that the health of the current Marquis had improved. He then attempted a contract between the aunt of the Holy Roman Emperor, Julia de Aragon, only to renege again upon the sudden death of the Marquis of Monteferrat. Federico returned to his former negotiations and, following the death of the last legitimate male heir of the Palaiologos family, became the Marquis of Montferrat as well.