Construction of the Addizione Erculea

CNG 99, Lot: 1016. Estimate $5000. Sold for $4000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Ferrara. Ercole I d'Este. 1471-1505. AR Testone (27mm, 7.58 g, 2h). · HERCVLES · FERRAR · DVX · II (wedge stops), bare head right / Seven-headed Hydra. CNI X 20; Bellesia 14/C, example f (same dies); MIR 255. VF, toned.

This wonderful reverse type refers to the construction of the Addizione Erculea, a northern suburb of Ferrara. The area where the addition was made was covered with malaria-ridden swamps which had to be filled before construction could begin. To symbolize this monumental task, Ercole chose a scene from the exploits of his namesake, Hercules, who slayed the mythological seven-headed Hydra, and placed it on his coinage.