ITALY, Sicilia (Kingdom). Federico I (Federico II, Holy Roman Emperor). 1198-1250. AV Augustale (21mm, 5.26 g, 6h). Messina mint. Struck 1231-1250. Good VF.

Keystone 16 – The David C. Bianchi II Collection
Lot: 557.
Closing Date: May 20 2026 10:00 ET

Medieval & Early Modern World – Other, Gold

Estimate: $ 5 000

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ITALY, Sicilia (Kingdom). Federico I (Federico II, Holy Roman Emperor). 1198-1250. AV Augustale (21mm, 5.26 g, 6h). Messina mint. Struck 1231-1250. CЄSAR AVG • IMP ROM, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / + FRIDE RICVS, eagle standing left, head right, with wings spread. Kowalski dies U11/A38, no. 491 (this coin); MIR 59; Spahr 98; MEC 14, 515; Friedberg 134 (Brindisi). Toned, some marks behind bust and on edge, tiny edge split. Good VF. Rare.

From the David C. Bianchi II Collection. Ex J. Eric Engstrom Collection (Triton XXVII, 9 January 2024), lot 1061 (hammer $9000); P. R. Franchville Collection (Heritage, 12 December 1985), lot 463; Giuseppe Ruggero Collection (R. Ratto, 8 February 1915), lot 3452.

Frederick II Hohenstaufen, “Stupor Mundi” (Wonder of the World), was the most enlightened ruler of medieval Europe. Besides encouraging the study of both the ancient and natural worlds, Frederick was instrumental in improving relations with the Muslims, negotiating free access to Christian holy sites in Palestine, where all Crusader armies had been unsuccessful. One of his innovations was a gold coinage comparable in style and quality to the gold of the ancient Caesars. The classical motifs proclaimed his inheritance of the legacy of Rome, and the augustale and its fractions were issued concurrently with the publication of the Constitution of Melfi, his codification of Norman law meant to follow the famous Roman law codes. These coins were struck until Frederick's death in 1250, and may have been continued by his successors for about another fifteen years.

Closing Date and Time: 20 May 2026 at 13:05:20 ET.



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