Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 1930. Estimate $1500.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $1700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Genoa. The Biennial Doges. 1528-1797. AV Doppia (6.62 g, 1h). Second phase, in the name of emperor Conrad II. Ieronimus Viglevamus, mintmaster. Dated 1589. +DVX ET GVB' REIP' GEN', city gate or tower with decorated columns; 1589 below / +CONRADVS II RO' REX I V, floreate cross with central rosette. CNI III p. 292, 2; Lunardi 209; Varesi 205/19; Bellesia 70/T; Friedberg 419. Good VF, strong strike. ($1500)

Technically a communal republic, Genoa was in fact an oligarchy ruled by a small group of merchant families, from whom were selected the city's doges, or rulers. Beginning with Simone Boccanegra in 1339 and continuing through 1528, these so-called "perpetual" doges were supposed to hold office for life. Few, however, did, as the city was periodically under the control of both Milan and France. In 1528 Andrea Doria threw off French control and re-established a Republic. Though he himself ruled as a virtual dictator, his successors were now limited to a two-year term of office, and were subsequently known as "biennial" doges, a political arrangement which continued until Napoleon's formation of the Liguran Republic in 1798.