CNG 90, Lot: 2280. Estimate $1000. Sold for $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Genova. Raffaele Adorno. Doge, 1443-1447. Pale AV Half Ducat (21mm, 1.67 g, 12h). Uncertain mint in the Black Sea region. [S/L/Λ/V/R/Є/T/I] D/V/X RΛFΛЄL ΛDV, St. Laurentius standing right and Doge kneeling left, holding banner between them / SIT T XPЄ DΛT O RЄGIS ISTЄ DV, Christ standing facing, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels, surrounded by mandorla containing nine stars. CNI III -; Ives -; cf. Papadopoli (Castellani) 16103; cf. Schlumberger pl. XIV, 16; cf. Gamberini 401. VF, rough strike. Very rare.

Although all of the published Venetian-style ducats of Raffaele Adorno are attributed to Chios, this coin can be attributed securely to the same uncertain Black Sea area mint as the previous two lots. This coin retains the Venetian-style reverse legend, rather than GLORIA I EXCELSIS DEO ET I TERA P, the one that the Milanese adopted after 1421. Moreover, this coin lacks the large S mintmark at the base of the staff, an element that had become a standard part of Chios mint issues at this time. It appears to have been struck at one of the Genoese-controlled areas in the Black Sea area, where the local needs of commerce required such coins to be struck.