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Duchy of Milan
Francesco Sforza came into power in Milan in 1450, after the Visconti family had died out. The period of the Sforza dynasty in Milan lasted until 1535, but it was interrupted by several French occupations. In 1525, Charles V. won the battle of Pavia, and when the Sforza family died out in 1535, the duchy of Milan passed to Charles V and Spanish Habsburg.
Charles V engaged the best contemporary engraver, Leone Leoni (1509-1590) for the mint of Milan. Leoni also modelled several medals and bronze statues for the emperor.



Scudo d'argento, n. d.     Dies by Leone Leoni.     Ø 43mm, 33,73g.   Crippa 4, Dav.8304
The Bavarian Coin Collection presents this piece in their permanent exhibition in Munich.
Obv.:   ·IMP·CAES·CAROLVS·V·AVG¤  -  laureated bust, lion head at the shoulder.
Rev.:   ·TE·DEVM·LAVDAMVS·     "We praise Thee, O Lord".
Saint Augustine (kneeling) and Saint Ambrose (with crosier), flagellate between them and
the Holy Spirit (pigeon) above.     Exergue : the saints' names ·S·AVG·S·AMB·
Scudo d'argento: This large Italian silver coin was first minted for Charles V in Milan in 1551. It was as highly valued as the Scudo d'oro in Philip II's reign.
Saint Ambrose of Milan (about 340-397) and Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430) belong to the four Great Doctors of the Western Church. Ambrose was elected Bishop of Milan in 374 and is the city's patron saint. He was highly influential in bringing about Augustine's conversion.



Mezzo Scudo d'argento, 1552.     Ø 34mm, 16,8g.   Crippa 6B
Obv.:   ¤ IMP·CAES·CAROLVS·V·AVG·
Rev.:   ¤ CVIQue - (date) - SI SVVM ¤   however, with the misprint GVIQ instead of CVIQ   "To each his own"
crowned eagle above the globe with lightning and laurel in its claws




Denaro da 32 soldi imperiali, n. d.     Ø 34mm, 10,8g.   Crippa 8C
Obv.:   CAROLVS·V·IMPERATOR  -  laureated bust with the Golden Fleece on the breast.
Rev.:   SANTVS·AMBROSIVS  -  Saint Ambrose with flagellate and crosier.
Exergue: ·MLM· for Mediolanum "Milan".
In 374, the popular prefect Ambrose went to the basilica where a new bishop was to be elected. Because of a dispute between Trinitarians and Arians an uproar was likely, and Ambrose intended to avert it. As he addressed the assembly, a child called out "Ambrose for bishop!" Others took up the call, and Ambrose was univocally elected bishop.
The flagellate, Ambrose's identification attribute, is supposed to have reference to Christ's driving the money-changers out of the temple.

 

Quarto di Scudo d'argento, n. d. (1552).     Ø 28mm, 9.09g.   Crippa 11
Obv.:   IMP·CAES·CAROLVS·V·AVG
Rev.:   the pillars of Hercules stand in the see and are embraced by a band with the motto "PLVS VLTRA".



Denaro da 25 Soldi, n. d. (1552)   Dies by Leone Leoni.     Ø 27mm, 8,6g.   Crippa 12
Obv.:   IMP CAES CAROLVS V AVG  -  laureated head.
Rev.:   SALVS AVG - VSTA | PADVS MDL     PADVS = river Po ;   MDL = MeDioLanum = Milan.
The river deity Po lies propped up against an urn (river soarce); Salus, the Roman goddess of public well-being,
feeds a serpent from a patera.
Compare with another genuine specimen [note the water pouring out of the source],
with an imitation [round and well centered], with another imitation [with a perfect rim on the revers]
and with a further imitation presented at Carlo V d'Asburgo, la Salus e il fiume Po




Testone della pièta, n. d. (medal)     Dies by Leone Leoni.     Ø 30mm, 11,8g.     Crippa 26B
an outstanding Renaissance product in the best tradition of ancient Roman coins
This medallic 'Testone' was struck in the order of the Senate of Milan as homage to the Emperor.
Obv.:   IMP·CAES· - CAROLVS·V·AVG  -  Charles V in classical armour and wearing a laurel crown.
Rev.:   ·Senatus·Populus·Que·MEDIOLanum·OPTIMO·PRINCIPI·
"(dedicated) to the excellent prince by the senate and people of Milan",
in correspondence with the antique SPQR (with R for Rome).
PIETAS holds a Patera (for offering) and is seated between Roman armours on a throne with crossed legs;
the motive follows the Sestertius of Caligula (AD 37-41).


Lit.:
Crippa, Le Monete di Milano durante la dominazione spagnola dal 1535 al 1706, Milano 1990.



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