ITALY, Mantova (Duchy). Ferdinando Carlo IV Gonzaga. 1669-1708. Off-metal strike in bronze of a Scudo (44mm, 32.36 g, 12h). Mantova mint. Dated
1676. Armored bust right, wearing lace collar / Eagle flying left towards aerie; clouds and rising sun over waves in background. Morosini 18; Bignotti –; MIR –; CNI 9; KM –. For similar Scudo in silver: cf. Bignotti 4; cf. MIR 730; cf. Davenport 3970 (all from same dies); cf. KM 228. Brown surfaces, scattered marks. Near EF. Extremely rare.
This extremely rare type is considered a pattern for a silver scudo by both CNI and Morosini. Two examples in silver are listed by Morosini, in the Vienna and Hermitage museums, but are illustrated only by line drawing. A third example has appeared on the market recently, last selling in Nomisa S.p.a. 65, lot 758. That full silver specimen was struck from different dies as the present piece. To complicate the matter, MIR erroneously illustrates an example from these die for both the unique 1679 gold 8 Doppie and the 1676 silver Scudo, but it is unclear if that specimen is in gold, silver, or bronze.
In hand, this coin appears to exhibit a slight convexity reminiscent of certain restrikes of Papal medals. As such a feature is not present on the well-circulated Nomisma specimen, it may be that most of the examples in either silver or copper are actually 18th century restrikes produced to supply collectors with an example of an otherwise unattainable issue. Regardless, this type in copper is itself extremely rare, with only two auction appearances recorded by Morosini. For similar 8 Doppie in gold: cf. Bignotti 1; cf. MIR 737; cf. KM 229; cf. Friedberg 590.
