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Auction: 339 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale at NY INC, Grand Hyatt
Lot: 264

Papal States. Urbano VIII -- Maffeo Barberini (1623-1644). Scudo d'oro, 1625. Roma. Holy Year issue. Crown and large crossed keys above Barberini Arms; URBANVS. VIII. P. MAX. (trefoil stops), rev. Holy Door with the Veil of Veronica within, flanked by date; QVI INGREDITVR SINE MACVLA, ROMA in ex. Ber.1695, CNI 37, Munt 7. From a wealthy Florentine merchant family, Urbano VIII expanded papal territory through military force and strategic politics. He was also a great patron of the arts - the massive debt he accrued from both areas would handcuff and weaken his successors. He had Galileo imprisoned for Copernican beliefs, but later had him freed. Although technically neutral in the Thirty Years War, his sentiments leaned toward France. Of the highest rarity and possibly unique. PCGS MS 63 (erroneous Fr. number on holder).

Estimate
$16,000 to $21,000