ITALY, Milano (Duchy). Galeazzo Maria Sforza. 1466-1476. AR Grossone da 20 soldi – Testone (28mm, 9.60 g, 10h). Reform coinage. Struck 1474-1476. VF.

Keystone 16 – The David C. Bianchi II Collection
Lot: 546.
Closing Date: May 20 2026 10:00 ET

Medieval & Early Modern World – Other, Silver

Estimate: $ 500

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ITALY, Milano (Duchy). Galeazzo Maria Sforza. 1466-1476. AR Grossone da 20 soldi – Testone (28mm, 9.60 g, 10h). Reform coinage. Struck 1474-1476. Armored bust right; pellet-in-annulet to left / Helmet left, crested by dragon consuming human figure; branding irons with buckets to left and right; G3 M flanking. MIR 201/2; Crippa 6/A; cf. MEC 12, 733-5 (for type). Toned, minor edge marks. VF.

From the David C. Bianchi II Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group inventory 868929 (April 2010).

Originating in Renaissance Milan, where it was first issued in 1468, the testone was a large denomination of good silver and was so-called because its obverse bore a naturalistically-styled head (testa) of the reigning duke. Owing to the influx of silver as a result of trade fueled by new sources of ore, the Milanese Sforza family used the denomination to promote their power and regional influence. They followed Renaissance artistic principles, and the portraits of the family are presented in a more naturalistic and accurate manner than the more stylized medieval portraits. Like the French gros tournois of the thirteenth century, the testone gained popular acceptance and soon other areas in Italy began minting similar coins, bearing portraits of their own rulers. By the end of the fifteenth century, France, England, and Scotland began minting their own versions, known as the teston in France, and the testoon in England and Scotland, these coins with their Renaissance-style portraits may be viewed as the first modern European coinages.

Closing Date and Time: 20 May 2026 at 13:01:40 ET.



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