Sale: Triton XIII, Lot: 1855. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Monday, 4 January 2010.  Sold For $475. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Milano (Signori). Prima Repubblica. 1250-1310. AR Ambrosino (2.89 g, 1h). MEDIOLANV, cross pattée; crescent in each angle / · SCS · ΛMBROSIV’, St. Ambrosius seated facing on throne, raising hand in benediction and holding crozier. CNI V 10 var. (rev. legend); Biaggi 1424. Good VF, toned.

From the Leonard O. Greenfield Collection.

Upon the death of Federico II, the citizens of Milano created the Prima repubblica, only to encounter friction between different groups of the populace. The faction still present within the city walls elected Martino della Torre as Capitano del Popolo, only to have Pope Urban IV counter with Ottone Visconti being elevated to archbishop rivaling della Torre. After a series of unsuccessful attempts, Visconti was able to take back the city, beginning a rule by his family which would last in Milano until 1450.