2023

MINT

FROM THE CENTURY

XVI

COIN MINING SYSTEMS

BY ROLANDO MIRKO BORDIN

THE GONZAGA LORDS OF THE CITY OF MANTUA WERE MORE LIKELY TOWARDS VENICE THAN MILAN.

CONTINUING THE SAME ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS, THEY LET THE INITIAL TREND OF THE MINT NOT BE CHANGED IN ANY WAY.

IN THE SUBSEQUENT DEVELOPMENT THAT ALL THE COINS OF MANTUA WOULD GIVE YOU, BIG AND SMALL, IN GOLD, SILVER AND COPPER, THE WAYS WHICH FIND THEIR CORRESPONDENT IN THE VENETIAN BELLS WERE ESTABLISHED.

THE ZECCHINO IN GOLD THE 140 DUCATO, THEN 124 SOLDI WITH SAN GIUSTINA, ALL ITS HAMLETS, THE BAGATTINO AND SO ON.

IN THE DOCUMENTS ARE ALSO NOTED THE PROVISIONS AND GOVERNMENT ORDERS THAT WHEREVER THERE WAS NOT PARTICULARLY IN THE SMALL COPPER COINS A PERFECT RESPONSE WITH THE VENETIAN COINAGE THEIR VALUE WAS REDUCED.

FRANCESCO GONZAGA, THE FOURTH CAPTAIN IN THE YEAR 1400, SCREAMS ABOUT THE VALUE OF THE FOREIGN COINS THAT FLOW IN MANTUA AND AMONG OTHER REQUIREMENTS THERE IS THAT THE BAGATTINO VENETO MUST BE VALUE FOR A SMALL MANTUA.

IN BEATING THIS SMALL MANTUA COIN IT WAS COMPLETELY CONFORMED.

THE SAME PROVISION IS REPEATED IN ANOTHER CRY OF 10 JUNE 1402, ANOTHER CRY OF 20 MARCH 1447, THUS REGULATING THE COURSE OF A NEW SILVER COIN MADE BY THE MARQUIS GIOVANFRANCESCO.

“IL NOSTRO ILLUSTRISSIMO PRINCIPE ET EXCELLENTE SIGNORE MESSER LO MARCHESE DE MANTOVA A NOTICIA DE CADAUNA PERSONA FA FAR PUBBLICA E MANIFESTA CRIDA HAVENDO L EXCELLENTIA SUA FATTO FARE MONETA D ARIENTO DA 3 SOLDI LA QUALE VENE AD ESSERE A PROPORTIONE ET VALUTA DI SOLDI 86 AL DUCATO D’ ORO CHE È AL CORSO DEL DUCATO A MONETA VENETIANA E COSÌ LE MONETE D ARIENTO DEL PREFATO ILLUSTRE SIGNOR NOSTRO SI INTENDA E SIA E DEBBA ESSERE A SOLDI OTTANTASEI QUESTA INTIMITÀ DI LEGAMI PORTAVA POI CHE OGNI ALTERAZIONE O MUTAZIONE CHE FACEVA VENEZIA DELLA PROPRIA MONETA SI DOVESSE TOSTO SEGUIRE ANCHE A MANTOVA”.

WHILE THE MANTUA COIN KEEPING ITS OWN TYPE AND ITS OWN CHARACTER, IT WAS ALWAYS MADE IN RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION OF THE VENETIAN COIN, BRINGING A HIGH PROFIT TO THE COMMERCIAL RELATIONS

ALSO TO CREDIT AND THE DISSEMINATION OF THE CURRENCY ITSELF BECAUSE IF THE VENETIAN AND MANTOVANA COUNCIL WAS VERY FAVORABLELY ACCEPTED THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MILANO OF THE REPUBLIC OF VENICE, BOTH BY PRIVATE PEOPLE AND FROM THE BANKS.

IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT AT THE TIME, WHEN FOREIGN SILVER COINS FROM TWENTY SOLES AND DOWN WERE FORBIDDEN ON THE MARKET OF MANTUA, EITHER FOR REASONS OF SPECULATION OR FOR STRONG AVAILABILITY, THE EXCEPTION WAS ALWAYS FOR THE VENETIAN BONE WHICH NEVER OMITTED RUNNING IN THE PRINCIPALITY OF THE GONZAGAS.

HOWEVER, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE MANTUA MINT COOKED OTHER COINS OF ANY METAL AND CURRENCY SIMILAR TO THOSE OF OTHER FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

FOR THE SAME REASON OF THE POLITICAL COMMERCIAL RELATIONS AND EVEN OF SIMPLE PRIVATE BUSINESS WITH VENICE, THE MANTOVANA MINT COUNCINED ITS CURRENCY CONFORMING TO THAT OF THIS CITY AS IT HAD TO SUFFER THE INFLUENCE OF THE SAME RELATIONSHIP WITH REGARD TO OTHER STATES, SUCH AS THE EMPIRE AND SPAIN .

GUGLIELMO GONZAGA (1550-1587) IS THE FIRST TO MINT GOLD COINS ON THE BASIS OF THE SPAIN SYSTEM CONCERNING DOBLES.

VINCENZO (HIS SON), DURING THE YEARS FROM 1587 TO 1612, MINT THE ONGARO CALLED IMPERIAL ZECCHINO IN ADDITION TO THE DOBLE.

SOMETIMES THE LUCK OF A FOREIGN COIN DEMANDED IN COPIENT MANNER FROM THE MARKETS, CAUSED THE GONZAGAS TO REPRODUCE IT IN THEIR MINT AS IT HAPPENED IN 1616 FOR THE SULTANINS, WHO DIFFERENT LITTLE FROM THE ONGARS.

OF ERODED COINS LIKE THE PARPAGLIOLE AND OTHER SMALL COPPER COINS ON THE MOLD OF THOSE OF THE NEARBY CITIES.

FOREIGN COINS WERE BANNED WHEN THE QUANTITY WAS EXCESSIVE FOR THE MARKET OR IF THERE WAS ALARMED A COUNTERFEIT WHICH WAS MOSTLY MADE ON THE BORDER OF SMALL STATES, IMMEDIATELY SEIZING THEM TO THEN BE THESE COINS CAST IN THE MINT.

THE FINGERPRINT WAS USUALLY IN BRONZE AND WAS VERY SIMILAR TO THE ORIGINAL.

ALTHOUGH IT WAS VENETIAN, THE GREAT VARIETY OF COINS WHICH HAD TO BE SPENT INVOLVED IN THE VERY EASE OF ALTERATION AND OF CLIPPING DESPITE THE VERY SEVERE PENALTIES FREQUENTLY INFLICTED ON CLIPPERS AND COUNTERFEITERS.

 TO BE INFLICTED TO COIN FORGERS.

..."WHO HAS SHEARED OR IN ANY OTHER WAY AFFECTED THE INTRINSIC VALUE OF THE GOLD COIN, THE DUCAT, WILL BE PUNISHED WITH A FINE OF 200 DUCATI, IF SILVER, WILL HAVE TO PAY FROM 10 TO 100 COINS OF THAT SPECIES WHICH HE HAS ALTERED.

IF THE OFFENDER HAS NOT PAID THE PRESCRIBED AMOUNT WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS OF THE SENTENCE, HIS RIGHT HAND MUST BE CUT OFF.

THE RECIPIENT THEN, DEPENDING ON THE CASE, THE QUALITY OF THE PERSON, MAY ALSO BE PUNISHED BY DEATH.

THESE RULES, WHICH WERE STRICTLY IMPLEMENTED IN SO DETAILED DETAILED RULES, GOVERNING THE CHANGERS AND THE BANKERS IN THIS FIELD.

THEY HAD THE ORDER TO CUT THE COUNTERFEIT COINS INTO FOUR PARTS (CROSS) WITH A SHEAR AND THEN DELIVER THEM TO THE PODESTA OR HIS VICAR.

IT WAS A MUST TO REPORT THE PERSON WHO HAD MATERIALLY DELIVERED THEM.

THE LAW GRANTED THE MONEY-CHANGE THE RIGHT TO ARREST THE HOLDER OF THE COINS, ENSURING HIM TO THE ARMIGERIA OF THE PODESTA.

AT THE SAME TIME THE LAW WAS VERY CLEAR, PLACING VERY SPECIFIC VETOS.

IF THE MONEY CHANGER OR THE BANKER FOR PERSONAL PROFIT DID NOT CUT THE FAKE OR ALTERED COINS AND IN ANY OTHER WAY SUBSEQUENTLY HAD NOT IMMEDIATELY DELIVERED THE METAL OF THE SAME TO THE PODESTA '...

THE PODESTA HAD THE RIGHT TO INDEMN THE MONEY-CHANGER OR THE BANKER, NOT ONLY OF POSSESSION OF PROHIBITED CURRENCY, BUT OF HAVING "MANUFACTURED" IT AND OF THE INTENT OF WANT TO SPEND IT, AND CONSEQUENTLY TO PUNISH HIM AS IF HE HAD REALLY MANUFACTURED IT AND EXPENDITURE.

THESE ALTERATIONS OF THE CURRENCIES IN CIRCULATION WELCOME THAT IN THE PAYMENTS THE COINS WERE WEIGHED BY THE GOLDSMITHS WHO, DUE TO THEIR PROFESSION, HAD THE IDENTICAL CHECK MARKS TO THE VENETIANS.

TO BE INFLICTED TO COIN FORGERS.

“STATUIMUS ET ORDINAMUS QUOD PONDUS DUCHATI ET ALIARUM MONETARUM COMUNIS QUI PRO CAMPIONE COMUNIS TENEATUR BULLATUM ESSE DEBEAT CIMERIO MAGNIFICI DOMINI ET RESIDERE PENES MASSARIUM IPSIUS CAMPIONIS ET QUOD NULLUS CAMPSOR SIVE BANCHERIUS ANDEAT VEL PRESUMAT NEC ALIQUA PERSONA HABITANS IN CIVITATE MANTUE ANDEAT VEL PRESUMAT PONDERARE ALIQUEM DUCATUM SEU MONETAM AURI CUM ALIO PONDERE QUAM CUM PONDERE SIGNATO DICTO CIMERO ET PONDERIS EQUIVALENTIS PONDERI CAMPIONIS SUB PENA VIGINTI SOLIDORUM PARVORUM PRO QUOLIBET AUREO”.

THE CONDITIONS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF MANTUA AND THOSE OF THE ZECCA ALLOWED THAT ALL.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPANY OF THE MUNICIPALITY WAS CONCENTRATED ON THE MASSARO.

THIS CITIZEN MAGISTRATE KEEPED A COIN WEIGHING OFFICE AT HIM.

SUBSEQUENTLY, AS ITS COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIP WAS EXPANDED, THE MINT ACQUIRED GREAT IMPORTANCE AND A DOUBLE OFFICE FOR WEIGHING AND TRADEMARK VERIFICATION WAS ESTABLISHED.

OFFICES OF WEIGH BRANCHES WERE ESTABLISHED AT THE CITIZENS' GOLDSMITHS WHICH WERE SUPERVISED BY THE MASTER OF THE MINT.

THE BANKS DON'T ENJOY HIGH ESTIMATE, NEITHER WITH THE GOVERNMENT NOR WITH THE PEOPLE OF MANTUA, THEY NEVER HAD THE COMMISSION OF WEIGHING MONEY.

AN UNDATED DOCUMENT CONCERNING VINCENZO PRIMO DESCRIBES THE INTRINSIC AND WEIGHT RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE COINS OF MANTUA AND THOSE THAT RUN IN MANTUA UNDER THAT PRINCE.

REGOLA CHE SI SA DA OSSERVARE PER SERVIRSI DELLI PESI DEI DENARI NELLA CITTÀ E STATO DI MANTOVA.

IL PESO CHE SERVE ALLI DUCATONI DI MANTOVA SERVIRÀ ALLI DUCATONI DI MONFERRATO, MILANO, SAVOJA, ROMA, PARMA, E PIACENZA SERVIRÀ ANCO ALLI DUCATONI DI FIORENZA CON GRANI 10 DI PIÙ.

SERVIRÀ ANCO ALLI DUCATONI VENETIANI CON GRANI 10 MANCO ET PER IL CALLO DI QUATTRO GRANI DI DETTO PESO SI POSSINO ACCETTARE.

IL PESO DELLI MEZI DUCATONI ET QUARTI ALLA RATTA.

ET PER IL CALLO DI DOI GRANI SI POSSINO ACCETTARE.

IL PESO CHE SERVE ALLI MEZI SCUDI D'ARGENTO DETTI FILIPPINI DI MILANO.

SERVIRÀ ALLI MEZI SCUDI DI MILANO COL MORIONE,  CON GRANI 13 MANCO.

SERVIRÀ ALLI MEZI SCUDI DAL K ET DALLA TESTA RICCIA DEL RE FILIPPO CON GRANI 24 MANCO.

IL PESO DELLI TERZI DI MONFERRATO ET SAVOJA.

IL PESO CHE SERVE ALLI DANARI A SOLDI 36 DI BOLOGNA.

SERVIRÀ ALLI DANARI DA SOLDI 37 NOSTRI, DI ROMA, CON GRANI 12 MANCO.

SERVIRÀ ALLI DANARI DA SOLDI 37 DI BOLOGNA CON GRANI 17 MANCO IL PESO DEL DANARO DA SOLDI 41 DI BOLOGNA.

IL PESO DELLE DUE JUSTINE VENETIANE.

IL PESO DELLA JUSTINA VENETIANA ET MANTOVANA.

IL PESO DELLA MEZA JUSTINA.

SERVIRÀ ALLI DANARI DA SOLDI 18 DI PARMA CON GRANI 14 DI PIÙ.

IL PESO DEL GAZETONE

IL PESO DELLI CROSONI DA 8 REALI.

SERVIRÀ ANCO AL DUCATO VENETIANO CON GRANI 18 DI PIÙ.

IL PESO DELLI 4 REALI DI SPAGNA.

IL PESO DELLA DOPPIA DI SPAGNA SERVIRÀ PER LA DOPPIA D ITALIA CON GRANI 2 MANCO, ET SERVIRÀ PER I DUE REALI DI SPAGNA CON GRANI 2 DI PIÙ.

IL PESO DELLA MEZZA DOPPIA DI SPAGNA SERVIRÀ ALLO SCUDO DI FRANCIA ET GENOVA.

SERVIRÀ ANCO A TUTTI LI SCUDI D ITALIA CON GRANO UNO MANCO SERVIRÀ ALLI GIULII DI ROMA,  ANCONA,  FIORENZA,  PEROSA,  BOLOGNA,  URBINO.

SERVIRÀ ANCO ALLE REALE DI SPAGNA CON GRANO UNO PIÙ.

IL PESO DEL CECCHINO SERVE ALLI ONGARI DUCATI DI MANTOVA, ROMA, BOLOGNA, FERRARA, FIORENZA ET PORTOGALLO.

IL PESO DELLI TALLARI FILIPPI DI FIANDRA.

IL PESO DELLI TALLARI DELLE DIECI STAMPE.

LE MONETE D ARGENTO CALANDO DOI O VERO TRE GRANI DEL SUO PESO L UNA SI POSSINO ACCETTARE.

LI ORI NON SI POSSINO ACCETTARE SE NON AL SUO GIUSTO PESO, OSSERVANDO PERÒ QUELLO CHE SI CONTIENE NELLA GRIDA.

LI SUDDETTI PESI SI PAGHERANNO QUELLO DEL DUCATONE SOLDI SEI, ET TUTTI LI ALTRI INDIFFERENTEMENTE SOLDI TRE L'UNO.

IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTERS IT IS NOTED HOW THE MINT WAS CONDUCTED BY THE BISHOP AND IN WHICH MANNER THEY WERE CLEARLY EXPRESSED.

OTHER CHAPTERS PROVE HOW THE GONZAGA HAVE PERSONALLY MANAGED THE MINT FROM THE FIRST YEARS OF THEIR SIGNATURE.

THE GONZAGAS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATES, TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE PROFITS WHICH WERE DIVIDED EQUALLY BETWEEN THEM.

THE CONDUCT WAS ECONOMY AND THIS METHOD LASTED FOR MANY YEARS, PROBABLY THROUGHOUT THE 15TH CENTURY.

MASSARO ADMINISTERED AND MANAGED THE MINT WITHHOLDING AN INDEPENDENT FIXED SALARY.

MASSARO PRIVATELY ENTERTAINED FROM HIS INDISCRETION, VARIOUS PERCENTAGES DERIVING FROM THE PROCESSING OF THE MINT OR FROM THEIR MAJOR OR LESS PRODUCT.

COULD NOT HAVE ANY FINANCIAL PAYMENT, BOTH THE WORKERS AND THE SUPERVISING UNSLAVE WORKERS WHO WORKED IN THE MINT.

THESE WERE PREFERENTIALLY CHOSEN BY MASSARO THEY HAD TO BE EQUIPPED WITH THE GOLDSMITH'S ART, LIKE THOSE WHO HAD A PARTICULAR EXECUTION TECHNIQUE IN THE CASTING OF METAL ALLOYS.

BEING EQUIPPED WITH THE NECESSARY TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE FOR THE COMPOSITION OF ALLOYS DURING THIS PERIOD, THE ZECCHIERI WERE NOT CALLED BY ANY OTHER TITLE BUT AS SUPERIORS AND PRESIDENTS OF THE MINT.

THE FIRST CHANGE WHICH WAS INTRODUCED TO THIS SYSTEM WAS BY CALLING MAESTRO DI ZECCĄ, ALTHOUGH LEAVING APART THE PROFITS TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.

IT WAS THEN THAT THE PRINCE OWNER OF THE MINT AND THE MASTER MADE AGREEMENTS ON THE ALLOY WHICH SHOULD HAVE THE COINS IN THE THREE TYPES OF METAL AND ON THE QUANTITY TO BE COINTED.

THE TIME NECESSARY FOR THE MINING OF THE COINS IS DESCRIBED IN A CONTRACT FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MINT, STIPULATED BETWEEN THE MARQUIS FRANCE II AND THIS JEW SPANDOLINO DATED OCTOBER 23, 1504 IS A REAL DIRECTION INTERESTED IN WHICH WHILE THE EMPLOYEES HAD CERTAIN PROFITS AND WEIGHTS, GONZAGA PARTICIPATED IN FIXED AND POSSIBLE PROFITS.

THE MINT WAS CONDUCTED IN AN ECONOMICAL MANNER WITH THE RISK AND THE ADVANTAGE OF THE PRINCE BUT ALSO THIS WAY OF ADMINISTERING THE MINT, BY OFFERING NO GUARANTEES AGAINST ALL KINDS OF ABUSE, RISKED A LOT.

THE MOST VITAL PART OF THE PRODUCTS WAS STILL DEPENDENT ON THE EMPLOYEES' MORAL QUALITIES WHICH WERE NOT ALWAYS THE WANTED.

THIS FIRST INNOVATION WAS JUST A STEP FORWARD TOWARDS THE COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE MINT.

IN A DOCUMENT OF THE CASALE MONFERRATO MINT THERE IS PROOF THAT IN THE YEAR 1537 THE CHANGE HAD REACHED ITS FULL DEVELOPMENT.

GONZAGA LEASES TO DE GIVA FOR FIVE YEARS.

IN HIS CASALE MINT HE ASSUMES TO CARRY OUT ALL THE OPERATIONS ON HIS BEHALF AND UNDERTAKES TO PAY A SPECIFIED AMOUNT EVERY YEAR TO THE GONZAGA.

THE GOVERNMENT PRESCRIBES THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF THE COINS TO BE MINT, FIXING THE ALLOYS IN ALL POSSIBILITIES DEPENDING ON THE PRICE OF THE LABOR OF THE TECHNICAL METAL PERSONNEL.

FOR THE DE GIVA, THE GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT ONLY TO SEE THROUGH SPECIFIC OFFICIALS RESIDENT IN THE ZECCA, SO THAT THE OPERATIONS ARE CORRECT.

WHAT GONZAGA HAD DONE FOR THE CASALE MINT WILL ALSO BE DONE FOR THE MANTUA MINT WITHOUT WISHING TO SET PRECISE DATES.

REMAINING WITH THE TWO DEEDS OF THE MANTUA AND CASALE MINT AND KEPT WITHIN FAIRLY COMFORTABLE LIMITS, IT IS NOTED THAT THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MANTUA MINT PROCEEDED IN AN ECONOMIC WAY UNTIL THE END OF THE XV CENTURY.

FRANCESCO GONZAGA WAS THE ONE WHO INTRODUCED THE FIRST INNOVATION IN THE MANTUA MINT, CALLING EMPLOYEES TO SHARING THE PROFITS, WHICH INNOVATION MADE THE TOTAL TRANSFORMATION POSSIBLE.

FREDERICK II, SON OF FRANCIS (1519-154), INTRODUCED THE CONTRACT, WHICH ACCORDING TO A DOCUMENT WAS ALREADY FULLY ADOPTED IN 1537.

THE CONTRACT OF THE ZECCA WITH THE DE GIVA, CURRENTLY CANNOT BE FOUND.

ATTRIBUTED TO A MASTER OF THE MINT OF 1526, IT SEEMS THAT THIS REFORM HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT BY FREDERICK II, RECENTLY COMING TO POWER.

IN FACT, IN THE YEAR 1526, AVEROLDI SEBASTIANO IS CALLED FOR THE FIRST TIME CONDUCTOR OF THE ZECCA, WHICH TITLE IMPLIES NOT ONLY THE TRACEABILITY OF THE ECONOMIC PART BUT THE MOST ABSOLUTE ONE, THAT OF THE CONTRACT.

THE QUALIFICATION OF MINT CONDUCTOR WAS ADOPTED IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 16TH CENTURY BY ALL THE CONTRACTORS OF THE MINT.

THE CONTRACT PERIOD.

GUGLIELMO GONZAGA, THE ABLE ADMINISTRATOR THAT HE WAS, WANTED TO ATTEMPT TO MANAGE THE MINT IN AN ECONOMICAL WAY.

AFTER THE EXPERIENCE OF A FEW YEARS, THE RESULT NOT BEING IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS EXPECTATIONS AND ALSO FOR OTHER REASONS, HE RETURNED AGAIN TO ADOPT THE CONTRACT.

THIS WAS DEFINITELY THE GREAT DEVELOPMENT WITH ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE WHICH THE MINT HAD OBTAINED IN THE XVI CENTURY.

XVI CENTURY.

THE MINT IN THE XVI CENTURY WHICH HAD ALSO BECOME AN EXCHANGE BANK AND A PLACE OF TRADE IN PRECIOUS METALS SUCH AS GOLD AND SILVER.

THIS WAS A STOCK EXCHANGE WHICH SPECULATED ON THE RISE AND DOWN OF THE CURRENCIES.

EVEN FOR THESE SPECULATIONS OF THE FIRST DUKE VINCENZO I AND FERDINANDO, A SIMILAR ENTERPRISE WAS ATTEMPT BUT IN A DIFFERENT WAY BECAUSE THEY JOINED THEM IN THE SPECULATIONS, USING THE GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF THE DUTIES AND REVENUES OF THE DUCK OF MANTUA.

IT WAS NOT THE PRINCE WHO DECIDED TO ATTEMPT AN ENTERPRISE FOR THE GOOD OF THE STATE AND HIS SUBJECTS BUT HE WAS A SPECULATOR EVEN TOWARDS THEIR DAMAGE.

ACT OF 13 APRIL 1616.

SI CONTENTA SA DI FAR CAMMINARE IL NEGOZIO DELLA ZECCA DI MANTOVA IN COMPAGNIA DEL SIG CARLO TORRE PER CINQUE ANNI PROSSIMI AVVENIRE DA INCOMINCIARSI ALLI 10 DI APRILE PROSSIMO 1616.

FURTHERMORE IT SHOULD NOT BE WONDERFUL TO SEE A PRINCE SUCH AS FERDINAND WAS REACHING THIS POINT, WHILE IT WAS NOT THE FIRST EXAMPLE OF THIS KIND THAT HE OFFERED BECAUSE IN THE SAME YEAR 1616, HE ASSUMED ANOTHER SPECULATION, NAMELY THAT OF PUTTING INTO MANTOVA THE FACTORY OF FINA MAJOLICA, HIRING SPECIFIC ARTISTS FROM FAENZA.

OTHERS OF THE GONZAGA FAMILY WERE IN TURN ENTREPRENEURS-SPECULATORS OF ALL KINDS, ESPECIALLY IN THESE TIMES.

AN ALESSANDRO WAS FAMOUS, WHO WE WILL SEE ASSUMING THE CONDUCT OF THE MINT TOGETHER WITH MARC'ANTONIO GHISELLI OF BOLOGNA WHICH INDEED IN THE VERY FACT OF THE CONDUCT OF SUCH SIGNOR TORRE AND DUKE FERDINANDO IT IS HE WHO PROVIDES THE TWO CONTRACTORS WITH THE MONEY NECESSARY TO CARRY ON THE COMPANY, LOANING THEM EIGHT THOUSAND ESCUDS AND LEAVING THEM IN THEIR HANDS DURING THE WHOLE PERIOD OF THE FIVE YEARS OF THE INTENTION.

IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED THAT FERDINANDO GONZAGA WAS ALMOST FORCED TO JOIN THE TOWER IN THE CONDUCT OF THE MINT BECAUSE THE CONTRACTOR BORGATTI HAD COMPLETELY RUINED IT.

NOW IT WAS NECESSARY TO INFUSE IT IN FORCE AND CREDIT AND IT IS PERHAPS AT THIS JUNCTURE THAT WE SEE THE PRINCE INVOLVING IT.

AFTER FERDINAND, NO PRINCE EVER ATTEMPT SUCH AN ENTERPRISE, SO THE FINAL ADOPTION WAS ALWAYS CONTRACTED.

SUBSEQUENTLY THIS SYSTEM WAS ALSO CAUSED BY CONTINUOUS NEEDS FOR MONEY ON THE PART OF THE PRINCE FROM THE MOST UNREGULATED PROPER ADMINISTRATION WHICH FORCED HIM TO COUNT RATHER ABOVE A CERTAIN, CONCRETE INCOME AND DECREASED BY THE GAINS OF ANY SPECULATION, RATHER THAN A GREATER B YES BUT ALWAYS UNCERTAIN AS WELL AS ABOUT THE SUBSIDIES AND ADVANCES OF SUMS THAT THE ENTREPRENEUR ALWAYS MADE TO THE PRINCE (THIS WAS THE PRINCIPLE OF HIS CONTRACT).

THE CONTRACT FOR THE MINT WAS MOSTLY ASSUMED BY THOSE WHO ALSO HAD THE GENERAL COMPANY OF ALL DUTIES AND STATE GABELLES AS IT WAS FOR TORRE AND BORGATTI.

FREQUENTLY AND MORE OFTEN, THERE WAS ONLY ONE CONTRACT AND PROCUREMENT FOR BOTH THE ZECCA DI MANTUA AND CASALE WITH REGARD TO THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS AND ORDERS OF EACH, WHICH, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS, ALSO BRINGING A DIVERSITY OF ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS.

PLEASE NOTE IN THE SCRIPTIONS OF THIS CONDUCT TO REQUIRE THE ZECCHIERI FOR MANTOVA TO BEAT AT THE GOODNESS OF VENICE AND FOR CASALE, TO BEAT AT THE GOODNESS AND WEIGHT OF PIEDMONT.

THE DURATION OF THE CONDUCT VARIED FROM THREE TO SIX YEARS BUT NEVER MORE OR LESS THAN THESE TERMS.

THE CHAPTERS OF THE CONTRACT WERE ALWAYS DRAFTED BY A CHAMBER NOTARY AND THE DUKE, FOR THE EXCLUSIVE ADVANTAGE OF WHOSE ALL THIS WAS DONE, WAS REPRESENTED BY THE PRINCIPAL AND THE ADVISORS OF THE CHAMBER MAGISTRATE WHICH COVERED ONE OF THE MAJOR ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITIES OF THE STATE, WHO ALWAYS YOUR OWN SIGNATURETO THE NOTARY DEED.

THUS THEY WERE ACTS WHICH WERE DONE WITH THE GREATEST SOLEMNITY, AND IN APPEARANCE AT LEAST WITH THE GREATEST GUARANTEES.

FOR PUBLIC HONESTY, CARE WAS ALWAYS PRESCRIBED AND DETERMINED TO THE ZECCHIERS THE QUANTITY OF FINE METAL AND ALLOY COINS WITH THE PROPORTIONS OF THE ALLOY TO BE USED.

ALTHOUGH THE ZECCHIERI GRANT THEM GREAT POWERS IN THE RUN OF THEIR COMPANY, THE DUKE ALWAYS KEEPED HIS CONTROLLERS ON HIS SIDE, WHICH WERE CALLED TO ACT THE DOUBLE OFFICE OF SUPERVISING THE MANUFACTURING OF THE MONEY SO THAT IT WAS MADE IN THE PRESCRIBED QUANTITY AND QUALITY a , TAKING CARE OF THE PRINCE'S INTEREST FOR THOSE REVENUES WHICH WERE NOT THE EXCLUSIVE COMPETENCE OF THE ZECCHIERE.

THESE PROCEEDS WERE DIVIDED BETWEEN THEM AND THE DUKE AS THEY WERE, FOR EXAMPLE, ON THE ADVANTAGES AND PURCHASES OF THE GOLD AND SILVER OF PRIVATE PARTIES, THESE COMING FROM THE DIFFERENCE IN THE PURCHASE PRICE AND THE TARIFF OF THE MINT, FURTHERMORE IT WAS NECESSARY TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE CREDITS OF THE SIZE IMPOSED TO INFRINGEMENTS IN MONETARY MATTERS, THOSE OF CURRENCY EXCHANGE AND SO ON.

TO BETTER CLARIFY ALL THESE DATA, IT SHOULD BE REPORTING THIS EXCERPT OF THE SPECIFICATIONS DATED 18 DECEMBER 1581 BETWEEN DUKE GUGLIELMO AND OTTAVIANO ARDIZZONI DA TRINO AND OTTAVIO POLINO DA BRESCIA, FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS CONDUCT OF THE TWO MINTS OF MANTUA AND CASALE.

SPECIFICATIONS DATED 18 DECEMBER 1581.

LE MONETE D'ARGENTO TANTO DI LEGA ALTA QUANTO BASSE NELLA CECHA DI MANTOVA SI STAMPERANNO NEL MEDEMO MODO CHE FA VINEGGIA COSÌ AL PESO COME DELLA BUONTÀ NELLA CECHA DI CASALE SARÀ IN LIBERTÀ DE CECHIERI DI FAR BATTERE COME FA VINEGIA ALLA MEDEMA BUONTÀ E PESO CON OBBLIGO DI BATTER ANCO COME SI FA DI PRESENTE IN PIEMONTE ALMENO VENTICINQUEMILLA SCUDI ALL ANNO LA METÀ A FINO ED L ALTRA A LEGA SECONDO IL VALORE ET SE PER CASO IL BATTERE ALLA FORMA DI VINEGGIA FACESSE CRESCER IL SCUTO DI PIÙ DI QUELLO CHE SI SPENDE DI PRESENTE ET CHE POTESSE PORTARE DANNO ALL IMPRESA DEI SALI IL MAESTRO DI CECHA SI OBLIGHERÀ DI RILEVARNE LA CAMERA A PUOTRÀ IL MAESTRO DI ESSE CECHE FAR BATTERE IN AMBEDUE TUTTA QUELLA QUANTITÀ COSÌ D ORO COME D ARGENTO CHE A LUI PIACERÀ SERVANDO PERÒ GLI ORDINI DI SUPERIORI COSTITUITI DA SA ET BATTENDO TANTA QUANTITÀ A FINO COME FARÀ A LEGA HAVENDO RIGUARDO ALLA VALUTA ET NON AL PESO ET NON CONPUTANDO NEL FINO L ORO CHE BATTERÀ.

ET TROVANDOSI IN CAPO DELLA LOCATIONE CHE HABBI BATTUTO PIÙ A LEGA DI QUELLO HAVRÀ FATTO A FINO PAGHERÀ DI PENA TANTO COME IMPORTERANNO LE MONETE BASSE CHE AVRÀ BATTUTE DI PIÙ DEL SUO OBLIGO.

SARÀ PERÒ LECITO AL CONDUTTORE TROVANDO ESITO ALLE MONETE A LEGA IN ALTRI STATI DE FARNE BATTERE TUTTA QUELLA QUANTITÀ CHE VORRÀ PURCHÈ OSSERVI QUELLI ORDINI CHE LI SARANNO DATI DALLI SUPERIORI AFFINCHÈ SI SIA SICURO CHE VADI FUORI DI DOMINIO DI SA ET CH EGLI NON LO FACCI PIÙ RITORNARE.

IL MAESTRO DI CECHA PAGARÀ L ORO PER LA CECHA DI MANTOVA TENENDO DI FINO CARATTI 24 IN RAGIONE DI SCUTI 77 112 A PESO DI N 108 PER LIBRA ET SE SARÀ AGRO O DI MANCO LEGA SI CHE BISOGNI AFFINARLO IL VENDITORE PAGARÀ LA SPESA A PAGARÀ PARIMENTI L ARGENTO FINO A LIBRE 43 SOLDI 8 LA MARCA DI MANTUA CIOÈ ONZE OTTO DI FINO PER MARCA E BISOGNANDO AFFINARLI SI FARÀ A SPESE DEL VENDITORE COME DELL ORO IL MEDEMO MAESTRO DI CECHA PAGHERÀ IN MONFERRATO L’ORO FINO DI CARATTI 24 IN RAGIONE DI SCUTI 77 112 AL PESO DI NUMERO 108 PER LIBRA.

PAGARÀ PARIMENTE IN MONFERRATO L ARGENTO FINO A DINARI 12 FIORINI 69 DI PIEMONTE ET 314 D UN ALTRO FIORIN.

SARÀ TENUTO IL MAESTRO DI CECHA D HAVER SEMPRE IN L UNA ET L ALTRA CECHA PRONTI PER CAMBIARE AL CORRENTE VALORE MILLE SCUDI D ORO OVERO D ARGENTO A FINO PER CIASCUNO CHE CI HAVRÀ BISOGNO CON TANTO INTERVALLO DI TEMPO FRA L UNA E L ALTRA ISBORSATIONE CHE SI POSSINO BATTERE.

VOLENDO SA FAR BATTERE QUALCHE MONETE COSÌ D ORO COME D ARGENTO DEL SUO ORO ET ARGENTO SIA IL DETTO MAESTRO DI CECHA OBLIGATO A FARLI BATTERE SENZA CHE L A S SENTA ALTRA SPESA CHE QUELLA DI PAGARE LI MANOVALI ET QUESTO PER TUTTA LA SOMMA DI SCUDI DODECIMILA IN TUTTA LA LOCATIONE TUTTI GLI ARGENTI ROTTI O ABBRUCCIATI MONETE TOSE ED ORI SIANO PORTATI AL MAESTRO DI CECHA ET SARÀ PROHIBITO AD OGNI ALTRO IL COMPERARNE IL QUAL MAESTRO DI CECHA LI PAGARÀ AL MODO DETTO DI SOPRA CONCEDENDO PERÒ ALLI OREFICI CHE POSSINO COMPERARNE PER IL BISOGNIO DE SOI LAVORIERI MA CHE SIANO TENUTI A FABBRICARE DETTI LAVORIERI ALLA LEGA FINA DELLA CECHA COSÌ D ORO COME D ARGENTO SOTTO PENA DI PERDERE ESSI LAVORIERI ET PAGAR IL DOPPIO DELLA LORO VALUTA ET DETTI OREFICI NON POSSINO SALDARE MONETE D ORO NÈ D ARGENTO NÈ AGGIONGERVI MATTERIA PER RIDURLE AL PESO ET PARIMENTE SIA PROHIBITO A TUTTI COMPRARLE PER PORTAR FUORI DELLA CITTÀ ET DOMINIO MA SIANO TENUTI PORTARLE AL MAESTRO DELLA CECHA SOTTO PENA DI PERDERLE ET DI PAGARE CENTO SCUDI PER OGNI VOLTA DA APPLICARSI COME SI DIRÀ APPRESSO.

THERE ARE THREE QUESTIONS TO BE RESOLVED IN THIS TOPIC.

FIRST.

WHO WOULD HAVE THE REVENUES WHAT THEY WERE AND HOW MUCH THEY WERE HESITATED.

THE REVENUES WHICH WAS HELT IN ANY WAY FROM THE MINT WERE OF THE EXCLUSIVE ADVANTAGE OF THE PRINCE, AS THE PRINCE HIMSELF NEVER SATISFIED WITH THE LUCRI.

THE PRINCE CONVERTED THE MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION OF CURRENCIES INTO A TRUE COMMERCIAL SPECULATION, WHICH WAS SERVED FOR NO OTHER THAN TO FEEDING AND INCREASING THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROSPERITY OF THE MANTUANS.

THE NATURE OF THESE REVENUES LEADS TO BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE ENTIRELY OF PROFIT TO THE STATE TREASURY.

ON THE CONTRARY, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF MANTUA, WHO, WHICH, TAKEN THE OWNERS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND OF THE COUNTRY, MADE THE PRINCIPAL OF THE MINT AS THEIR OWN (THE THING), OF PRIVATE AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, WIDELY ABUSING THIS INSTITUTION.

THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AND TRADE SPECULATION THAT DIDN'T ATTEMPT FRUITFUL EARNINGS.

GOVERNMENT MEASURES TAKEN THROUGH SCREAMS AGAINST THIS SPECIFIC TYPE OF COINS.

ONE OF THESE MEASURES MAKES US UNDERSTAND HOW THIS TYPE WAS NOTHING FROM THE PROVISIONS GOVERNING THE CURRENCY COURSE AND VALUE, THESE DID NOT ALREADY CONCERN THE PUBLIC INTEREST BUT ONLY THEIR MONETARY SPECULATIONS.

FROM THE DOCUMENTS THAT DEALT WITH THIS THEME, THE PRINCES OF MANTUA HAD THESE PROCEEDS CLOSE TO THEM EVEN THEN, WHEN THEY HAD GROWN TO CONSIDERABLE ENTITIES FOR THE GREAT DEVELOPMENT WHICH THE MINT COULD OBTAIN FROM THE GREATER ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF THE STATE.

IN THE STATUTES COMPILED BY GONZAGA AT THE FALL OF THE YEAR 1400 ALL THE DUTIES, GABELLES AND INCOME OF ALL KINDS OF THE MUNICIPALITY ARE REGISTERED.

AMONG THESE (INTENTIONALLY) DOES NOT INCLUDE THE MINT WITH ITS REVENUES.

BOOK VI OF THE SAID STATUTES

IN BOOK VI OF THE SAID STATUTES "DE OFFICIO MASSARII DATIORUM MANTUE", WE READ THAT THE MASSARO OF THE DATIO OF THE MUNICIPALITY HAD TO GIVE PRINCE GONZAGA LIRE OF MANTUA 572 AND TWO SMALL TO HONOR SOME DUTIES WHICH ARE NOTED AND WHICH WAS SOME OTHER DUTIES TOWARDS THE SAME THE ENTIRE INCOME HAS BEEN ASSIGNED.

EVEN HERE THE MINT IS NOT MENTIONED.

IN THE CRY AROUND THE MANTUA CURRENCY THE PRINCE'S CURRENCY IS ALWAYS CALLED AND SO ALSO OF THE INTEREST THAT COMES FROM ITS EXPENDITURE.

THE PRINCE IS ALWAYS THE PERSON WHO INTRODUCES HIMSELF, "THE MAGNIFICENT LORD NOT WISHING TO RECEIVE HIT OR DETRIATION", (THESE WERE THE PHRASES WHICH WERE COMMONLY USED IN THESE CASES).

IN THE MANY REPORTS THAT ARE PART OF THE STATE'S REVENUES AND EXPENSES, THE INCOME OF THE MINT HAS NEVER BEEN FOUND.

THE TENDER OF THE NOTARY DEEDS GRANTING THE CONDUCT OF THE ZECCA IS ALWAYS SUCH AS TO LET US KNOW THAT THE INTEREST IS NOT IN THE STATE'S INTEREST BUT THE PRINCE'S PERSONAL INTEREST.

THE LUCRI OBTAINED FROM THE MINT WERE MANY BECAUSE THE GONZAGAS HAD CONVERTED IT AS A TRAFFIC BANK.

THE FIRST AND THE MAJOR WAS THE ONE THAT CAME FROM THE MANUFACTURING OF COINS.

THE FACT REMAINED DUE TO THE DIFFERENCE IN THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE METALS AND THE VALUE OF THE COINS WHICH RESULTED WITH THE DEDUCTION OF ALL COINING COSTS.

DURING ALL THE TIME IN WHICH THE MINT WAS DIRECTLY ADMINISTERED BY THE PRINCE THROUGH HIS OFFICERS, IT IS NOT KNOWN OF WHAT IN THIS RESPECT IT PRODUCED TO HIS PRIVATE PRIVATE, HAVING NO REPORT.

THESE INCOME IS KNOWN ONLY WHEN THE MINT WAS LEASED.

ALSO THESE PROCEEDS ARE VERY DIFFERENT IN THAT THEIR AMOUNT WAS ALWAYS DETERMINED BY ELEMENTS WHICH DIDN'T ALWAYS CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONCLUSION OF A CONTRACT.

EXACTLY WE MUST STATE THAT THE GREATER OR LESSER QUANTITY OF COINS WHICH HAD TO BE MINT, REMAINING ON THE PREVALENCE OF THOSE MARKED IN ALLOY OVER THOSE OF FINE METAL, HAD TO BE PAID BY THE MINT OR THE PRINCE INCLUDING CERTAIN ADDITIONAL EXPENSES OF THE MINT.

THE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF THE MANTUA MINT.

CONTRACTS:

IN THE CONTRACT BETWEEN ARDIZZONI, POLINI AND GUGLIELMO GONZAGA DATED 18 DECEMBER 1581, THE TWO ZECCHIERI HAD TO PAY A RENT OF THE MINTS OF MANTUA AND CASALE FOR THE REASON ..."SCUTI QUATTRO MILLA L'ANNO D'ORO CIOÈ DUO MILLA ET CINQUECENTO PER QUELLA DI MANTOVA E MILLE CINQUECENTO PER QUELLA DI CASALE IN TANTO ORO DI QUELLO BATTERÀ IN DETTE CECCHE DI CARATTI VENTISEI IN BONTÀ ET DI PESO DI CENTO OTTO ALLA LIBRA DI PIÙ ỤNA ANTICIPAZIONE IMMEDIATA DI MILLE SCUDI SOPRA I QUATTROMILA".

ON 4 FEBRUARY 1589 THE LEASE OF THE MINT WAS GRANTED BY DUKE VINCENZO I TO LUCA ANDREA ROSSI OF BERGAMO WITH AN ANNUAL RENT OF THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DUCATONS.

IN THE YEAR 1617, GIAMBATTISTA BORGATTI FATTOSI MANAGER OF THE MINT DOES NOT PAY THE RENT OF FIVE HUNDRED SCUDI FROM SIX MANTUA LIRE.

ON THE CONTRARY, IN THE YEAR 1631 THE MARQUIS ALESSANDRO GONZAGA AND MARC'ANTONIO GHISELLI ASSUMED THE CONDUCT OF THE MANTUA MINT, THEY WERE OBLIGED TO PAY DUCATONI 2100 A YEAR.

A FEE SO DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF BORGATTI AND PAID IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR DUE TO THE CONDITIONS OF THE MINT "THESE MUST HAVE BEEN VERY MISERABLE AT FIRST SIGHT" WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

THE EXPLANATION REMAINS IN THE FACT OF THE WITHDRAWAL OF ALL THE OXIDIONAL COINS MINT IN MANTUA IN THE YEARS 1628 1629 AND 1630 AND OF A GREAT MINTING OF NEW.

IN REPLACEMENT OF THESE THERE WERE TWO TRANSACTIONS WHICH WOULD GIVE A GREAT PROFIT.

IN THE YEAR 1657, GIACOMO BERTI ASSUMES THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MINT AND UNDERTAKES TO PAY 12,000 SCUDI A YEAR FROM SIX LIRE OF MANTUA.

IN THE YEAR 1678, ABRAM PROVENZALI, FOR A BEAUTIFUL THALLERS OF THE GOODNESS OF NINE ONCES OF FINO FOR EACH LIBER OF SILVER WEIGHT OF THE MINT, IS OBLIGED TO PAY 1,500 DOUBLE DITALIA.

FROM THESE DATA IT CLEARS THAT THE DIRECT REVENUES OF THE MINT VARIED VERY MUCH BUT THAT THOSE OF THE GONZAGA'S LAST TIMES WERE MUCH GREATER THAN THE OTHERS.

IN THE PERIOD FROM 1630 TO 1707, THAT IS, DURING THE THREE PRINCIPLES OF NEVERS, SIGNIFICANT BEATINGS OF COINS ARE VERY FREQUENTLY SEEN BY PRIVATE PEOPLE FOR WHICH THE PRINCE MADE GREAT PROFITS.

THE GONZAGAS HAD OTHER INCOME BY BUYING FOREIGN COINS AND ESPECIALLY GOLD COINS, TO THEN PUT THEM IN PROCESS ON THE SQUARE OF MANTUA, OR BY REPEATING THEM WITH MANTUAN-MOLDED COINS.

IN THE YEAR 1461, LODOVICO III GONZAGA WRITES ON FEBRUARY 27 FROM FLORENCE TO HIS WIFE BARBARA OF BRANDENBURG.

"SELVE ACADRÀ RECEVERE FIORINI CORRENTI VOGLIAMO CHE VEDIATE FARLI BATTER AL STAMPO NOSTRO ET QUANDO NON VE ACADESSE DE RICEVERNE SI CIERCHI DI TROVARNE ET FARLI BATTERE COME È DICTO CREDEMO SEL SE RECEVESSE DUCATI VENETIANI SE NE PORIA COMPRAR DI QUESTI FIORINI CHE NON SONO COSÌ BONI ET FARNE BATTERE CHE FORSE ET SARIA UTILE UNDE VOLIAMO NE HABBIATE SOPRA CIÒ BONA INFORMATIONE ET TROVANDO CHE SENZA PERDERNE A NOSTRO DANNO EL SE POSSA FAR NE FACIATE BATTER AD OGNI MODO".

IN THE YEAR 1670 A QUANTITY OF DOUBLE MONEY OF THE CITY WOULD BE PURCHASED ON THE MARKET OF GENOA WHICH WOULD BE SPENDED ON THE MARKET OF MANTUA AT A VALUE OF TWO SONS.

WITH REGARD TO A CONSIDERABLE PURCHASE OF THESE COINS THERE IS A SPECIFIC CALL PRESCRIBING THIS COURSE.

April 26, 1613.

"CERTO PAOLO CALZOLARI SCRIVE ORA CHE IO PAVOLO CALZOLARI VENGO DA VENETIA DI DOVE GIÀ TRATTAI CON LE ALTEZZE SERENISSIME DI FELICE MEMORIA DEL QS DUCA VINCENZO A MADERNO E QS DUCA FRANCESCO A MANTOVA DI FARGLI DARE CENTOMILA MARCELLI OVVERO DUECENTOMILA DI QUELLI QUATRINI BONI DALLA SERENISSIMA REPUBBLICA DI VENETIA PER IL VALSENTEE MONETE SENTE DELL’ARGENTO E DEL RAME CHE QUELLI CONTENGONO".

WHEN THESE PURCHASES OF COINS TAKEN THERE WAS A CRY WHICH PRESCRIBED THEIR COURSE, BANNING THE COINS WHICH COULD COMPETE.

SO; IF IN THE FIRST CASE WE HAD SPECULATED ON THE GOODNESS OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES, IN THE SECOND IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN BUT AN UP OR DOWN PLAY.

THEN EARNED IN THE BONUS WHICH WERE INFECTED TO BREACHES OF THE MONETARY LAWS ON THE PURCHASES OF SILVER AND GOLD OF PRIVATE PARTIES, WHICH WAS ALWAYS PAID A LOWER PRICE THAN THAT OF THE METALS THAT THE CONDUCTOR OF THE MINT ARRIVED IN BARS OUTSIDE THE BORDER.

ANOTHER SOURCE OF PROFIT WAS IN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OLD COINS AND NEW COINS

THE TREND OF THE MARKETS VERY OFTEN SEED PRIVATE OBLIGATIONS TO PAY FOR THE OLD CURRENCY AT LEGAL CEND.

DOCUMENT FROM 1580 AS OF JANUARY 31.

"DALL AUGUMENTO DI DETTI SCUDI 180 TROVATI A 5 18 CHE SI DANNO FUORI A LIRE SEI MANTOVANE LIRE 18 DALL AUGUMENTO DI DETTI SCUDI 180 PER RIDURLI AL PESO VECCHIO MANTOVANE LIRE 7 4".

THE GONZAGAS DRAWN ANOTHER INCOME FROM THE MINT BY RESERVING THEM THE RIGHT TO PRIVATELY MINT A CERTAIN QUANTITY OF GOLD AND SILVER WITH THE ONLY CHARGE OF PAYING THE PRICE OF THE WORKERS' MANUAL SKILLS, CONSIDERING ALL THE PROFITS FROM THE PROCESSING TO THEIR ADVANTAGE OF METAL, AS ALSO SEEN IN THE PART OF THE CONTRACT BETWEEN GUGLIELMO GONZAGA WITH ARDIZZONI AND POLINI OF 1581.

THE DATA GIVEN HERE ARE LUCRES WHICH GUGLIELMO GONZAGA HAD IN THE YEARS 1562 1563 1564 1565, PARTLY FOR REKEYING AND PART FOR EXCHANGE OF REPEATING CURRENCIES FOR FOREIGN CURRENCIES.

"CONTO DEL AUGUMENTO CHE SI È FATTO DALLE VALUTI DE MOCENEGHI CHE SI SONO RICEVUTI DA M BARTH RICINI OREFICE PER DINARI TOSI ET LEGGIERI DATTI AL MARCO DI CECHA IN FAR BATTERE IN TANTI MOCENIGHI IL QUAL AUGUMENTO M BONSIG DI BONSIG CASSERO SE NE HA FATTO ENTRADA AL SUO GIORNALE ET AL GIORNALE DELLA MASSARIA QUALI SI SONO INCONTRATI A OGNI FIN DI MESE NEL MODO UT INFRA SUMARIO DEL AUGUMENTO DE MOCENIGHI IN RAGGION DI UNO SOLDO SUR MOCENIGHO".

NEL  ANNO 1562 SI È CAVATO                LIRE 1622,04,0

NEL  ANNO 1563 SI È CAVATO                          1542,09,0

NEL  ANNO 1564 SI È CAVATO                            588,10,0

NEL  ANNO 1565 SI È CAVATO                          372,030,0

                                                                       LIRE 4125,06,0

ET PIÙ TUTTI LI VOLTI CHE SI HA POTUTO BARATTAR GLI MOCENIGHI IN TANTI SCUDI D ORO IN ORO IN VERONA CON AVANTAGGIO SI SONO BARATATI ET SE NE CAVATO LA INFRASCRITTA SUMMA DE DINARI DELLA QUAL SUMMA MEDIMAMENTE M. BONSIG P TO SE SI HA FATTO ENTRADA AL SUO GIORNALE ET AL GIORNALE DELLA MASS CON LO INCONTRO SOPRADETTO:

NEL  ANNO 1562 SI È CAVATO                LIRE    192,12,0

NEL  ANNO 1563 SI È CAVATO                             354,12,0

NEL  ANNO 1564 SI È CAVATO                             466,18,0

NEL  ANNO 1565 SI È CAVATO                               51,18,0

                                                       SUMMA LIRE  1066,00,0

                                  IL P.TO SUMMARIO LIRE   4125,06,0

ET SONO DUCATI DA S 93 PER DUCATO

                                                                    LIRE     5191,06,0

                                                                       - N.    1116,6,0,4.

ZECCHIERI FOR NUMISMATICS ARE LIKE MINISTERS AND AMBASSADORS FOR DIPLOMACY SCHOOLS.

THEIR NAMES AND THEIR SYMBOLS ARE HUGELY SEEKED AND THOSE ARE LUCKY WHO MANAGE TO COMPOSE A COMPLETE SERIES OF ONE AND THE OTHER, CONSTITUTING THEM THE MOST DELICATE AND MOST COUGHT-UP PART IN THE HISTORY OF COINS.

I DO NOT INTEND TO REPORT THEM AND THEREFORE UNDER THIS CHAPTER THE SERIES OF ZECCHIERI MANTOVANI AND THEIR ACRONYMS OR SYMBOLS WHICH I RESERVE TO NOTE THEM AS I SPEAK OF THE COINS OF EACH PRINCE OF THE HOUSE OF GONZAGA I WILL PRESENT THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE OPPORTUNITY.

MY PRIORITY IS TO MENTION THOSE PARTICULAR FEATURES WHICH ARE VALID FOR HIGHLIGHTING THE SPECIAL CHARACTER OF THE MANTUA ZECCHIERI DURING THE GONZAGES DOMINION SO THAT THEIR IMPORTANCE AND THE RESPECTIVE DIFFERENCE RESPONDING TO THE DIFFERENT PERIODS OF THE HISTORY OF THE MANTUA MINT CAN BE KNOWN.

THE ZECCHIERI

THE ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM OF THE MINT IS THE ONE THAT ALSO CHARACTERISTICS THE INDIVIDUALITY OF THE MINT.

OF THE CONDUCT OF THE MINT THE ZECCHIERI IS DETECTED IN THREE DIFFERENT PERIODS IN ITS CONDUCTION, TO THESE, ALSO NECESSARILY CORRESPOND TO THREE DIFFERENT SPECIES OF MIND.

THE FIRST SPECIES RESPONDS TO THE TIME OF THE PRIVATE MANAGEMENT OF THE MINT BY THE PRINCE AND IS THE LESS IMPORTANT.

THE SECOND IS THE ONE WHICH STANDS IN THE MIDDLE PERIOD, WHEN THE MINT WAS MANAGED WITH A KIND OF DIRECTION AND IT IS LIKE THE LINK BETWEEN THE FIRST AND THE THIRD WHICH IS THE IMPORTANT ONE, WHEN THE MINT WAS CONTENTED BECAUSE OF THE MANY PRIVILEGES HAVING THE IMMUNITY THEY HAD OBTAINED, THE ZECCHIERS OCCUPIED ONE OF THE MOST EMINENT POSTS IN SOCIETY.

HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH THE GONZAGAS WERE RESTRICTED IN GRANTING PRIVILEGES TO THE MANAGERS OF THE MINT, THEY NEVER GRANTED THEM THOSE PREROGATIVES WHICH THE MINNERS OF OTHER CITIES HAD, IN PARTICULAR, THAT OF PRINTING THEIR NAME ON THE COINS.

IN FOREIGN MINTS WE FIND IMPRESSED THE WHOLE NAME OF THE MINT OR ITS INITIALS WHICH THESE ARE RARELY MISSING.

ON MANTUA COINS, IT IS NOT VISIBLE

THE WHOLE NAME OF THE ZECCHIERE AND RARELY THE SAME INITIALS AND THESE NOT BEFORE WILLIAM AND ALSO UNDER THIS PRINCE.

ALSO FROM THIS SIDE THE FOREIGN ZECCHIERI WERE FAR MORE PRIVILEGED.

OF SYMBOLS IMPRESSED ON THESE COINS BRING FLOWERS OR ROSETTES WHICH ARE SEEN PLACED AS SIMPLE ORNAMENTS.

HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT SYMBOLS OF ZECCHIERI.

A PARTICULAR FEATURE OF MANTUA'S COINS WITH REGARD TO THE ZECCHIERI IS THAT THEY RARELY STAMPED THE YEAR OF COINING ON THE COINS.

THE MINT OF THE FIRST PERIOD BEING BUT SIMPLE EMPLOYEES OF THE PRINCE THEY DID NOT AND COULD NOT ENJOY ANY SPECIAL PRIVILEGE OF IMMUNITY FOR THIS, EVEN THOUGH THE MIND OF THE SECOND PERIOD WERE THE REAL CONTRACTORS.

OTHER DOCUMENTS USUALLY DESCRIBE DUTIES EXEMPTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF MATERIALS NECESSARY TO THE MINT, AS IT HAS NO OTHER PREROGATIVE, AT LEAST THOSE WHICH WERE GRANTED TO THEIR SUCCESSING CONTRACTORS.

THESE MINNERS WERE REALLY LUCKY BECAUSE THEY ENJOYED ALL THOSE EXCEPTIONS AND THOSE SOCIAL DISTINCTIONS WHICH WERE ONLY GRANTED TO THE GREAT STATES, TO WHICH FOR CONVENIENCE TO SAY THAT THEY WERE EQUALED IN THOSE TIMES OF VERY HARSH RESTRICTIVE LAWS SUCH AS THE INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM WHICH WAS DUE TO THE LOW PEOPLE AND OF ABSOLUTE EXEMPTIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTS.

DEED DATED 4 FEBRUARY 1589, BETWEEN DUKE VINCENZO I AND ZECCHIERE LUCA ANTONIO BOZZI OF BERGAMO.

CONCEDERÀ SA L’ESENZIONE AL MAESTRO DI CECCA OVVERO A COLUI CHE ATTENDERÀ A ALLA CECCA ALLA SUA FAMIGLIA ET A SUOI LAVORANTI SINO AL NU MERO DI BOCCHE VENTI CONCEDERÀ SA AL MAESTRO DI CECCA ED ALLI SUOI HUOMINI IL POTER PORTAR LA SPADA IL PUGNALE ED ARME DE DOSSO TANTO DI NOTTE COME DI GIORNO PORTANDO PERÒ A PER LA CITTÀ IL LUME DI NOTTE NON ANDANDO IN QUADRIGLIA ET A PER VIAGGIO GLI ARCHIBUGI DA RUOTA DI MISURA SI COMPIACERÀ SA CHE NELLE CAUSE APPARTENTI ET DIPENDENTI DALL ESERCITIO DELLA ZECCA NIUN ALTRO SIA GIUDICE CHE IL MAESTRATO.

THESE SCREAMS, BEING PART OF PRIVATE, PRINTED AND MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS, ARE FOUND IN THE HISTORICAL ARCHIVE.

THE MOST ANCIENT KNOWN ARE FROM 1400 AND ALWAYS CONCERN THE CURRENCY COURSE WITH ALL THE ISSUES THAT ARE INHERENT TO IT.

TOGETHER THEY CONSTITUTE AN IMPORTANT SERIES OF DOCUMENTS FOR THE ECONOMIC HISTORY OF THE STATE.

ON THE MANTUA MINT, THESE SCREAMS CONTEMPLATE WITH PARTICULAR CARE THE CURRENCY RECEPTORS AND ALL SPECULATORS IN GENERAL.

EXTREMELY SEVERE BOTTIES AND BODY PUNISHMENTS ARE COMMINED AGAINST THESE HOBBIES, SO MUCH THAT PUBLIC OPINION COMPLAINED ABOUT THE CONTINUOUS RISING OF THE PRICE OF THE CURRENCY AND THAT THE INNOCENT VICTIMS WERE FREQUENTLY THE SCAPING FOR THE PRINCE'S SPECULATIONS.

HOW GREAT THE COMMON DISEASE WAS, IT MAKES US KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE DEEP GOVERNMENTAL IGNORANCE OF THE MANTOVAN REGISTERS WHO ONE BEAUTIFUL DAY CLOSED ALL THE CITY'S CHANGER COUNTERS.

IT IS EASY TO IMAGINE THE HURT WHICH ACTUALLY PRODUCED THIS SUDDEN MEASURE WHICH WAS FROM DUKE FERDINAND.

LOCATION OF THE MANTUA MINT

IN MANTUA, NO ONE KNOWS WHERE THE HOUSE OF THE ZECCA WAS.

SINGULAR THING TO BE PRECISE, HOW THE PEOPLE OF MANTUA DO NOT REMEMBER THE LOCATION OF THIS IMPORTANT BUILDING WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR.

MANTUA IS AMONG THE ITALIAN CITIES THAT HAS HAD A SPLENDID PAST EVEN THOUGH UNFORTUNATELY IT IS THE ONE THAT IS LESS REMEMBERED OF ITS HISTORY AND THE ONLY ONE WITH NO TRADITIONS AT ALL.

THE TRUE REASON LEADS TO THE EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1630, THIS YEAR TERRIBLE FOR THE CITY OF MANTUA.

FROM THE INVENTORIES OF THE MINT OF JULY 4, 1596, THE LOCATION WAS LOCATED IN THE CIGNO DISTRICT AND PRECISELY IN THE STREET CALLED BELLALANCIA.

A RENTAL AGREEMENT MADE BY THE DUCAL CHAMBER WITH A CERTAIN MATTEO AMBROSONI ON 18 APRIL 1596 EVEN WITNESSES THIS.

ANOTHER DEED DATED 19 NOVEMBER 1594 DESCRIBES THE PURCHASE OF A HOUSE MADE BY THE DUCAL CHAMBER "BY THE REPRESENTABLE ORAZIO VECCHI CALLED FIORAVANTI IN THE CIGNO DISTRICT CALLED BELLALANCIA WITH THE EFFECT OF ENLARGING THE MINT".

THE HOUSE OF THE MINT WAS THEREFORE IN THE STREET KNOWN TODAY, BELLALANCIA, BUT IT STILL HAS TO BE KNOWN IN WHICH POINT IT WAS LOCATED.

THERE ARE TWO STIPULATIONS BEARING THE DATE OF NOVEMBER 1594 AND 18 APRIL 1596, THESE DESCRIBE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE RESPECTIVE BUILDINGS, MADE AT THE DISPOSAL OF THE MINT.

IN THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION IT IS THAT THE HOUSE LAY ON THE PART RELATING TO THE RIO DEL MINCIO WHICH CROSSES THE CITY FROM ONE END TO THE ANOTHER.

THE FIRST DOCUMENT READS: “UNAM PETIAM TERRAE CASAMENTIVAM CUM DONIO SUPRA MURATA CUPPATA ET SOLERATA CUM PUTEO ET REVOLTO ET ALIIS QUALITATIBUS SITAM MANTUÆ IN CONTRATA CIGNI VOCATA BELLALANCIA PENES VIAM COMUNIS A PRIMO LATERE DICTUM THOMAM DE AMBROSONI A SECUNDO DOMUM DEPUTATAM PRO OFFICINA MENETARIA SIVE ZECCA A TERTIO, ET RIVUM MINCII A QUARTO”

IN THE SECOND DOCUMENT OF 18 APRIL 1596, THE TREATMENT OF THE RENTAL OF THE AMBROSONI HOUSE IS DESCRIBED. THIS HAS THE FOLLOWING LIMITS: “SITA IN MANTOVA IN CONTRATA CIGNI APPELLATA BELLALANCIA PENES IPSUM DOMINUM AMBROSONUM PRO VICINALIA EJUS DOMUS IN QUA EXERCETUR TINCTORIA AB UNO LATERE UNAM ALIAM DOMUM SUÆ CELSITUDINIS IN QUA EXERCETUR OFFICINA MONETARIA SIVE ZECCA DUCALI AB UNO ALIO LATERE VIAM COMUNIS A PARTE ANTERIORI ET RIVUM LACUS A PARTE POSTERIORI.”

IN THE YEAR 1600, THE CHAMBER MAGISTRATE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE MONETARY WORKSHOP WAS ANNEXED TO AN EXCESS OF BUILDINGS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NEEDS AND THEREFORE IT WAS DECIDED TO ASSIGN TO OTHER USE THOSE THAT WERE NO LONGER REQUIRED.

THIS NEWS IS WRITTEN IN A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE SAME MAGISTRATE GUIDO NERLI WHO WROTE ON DECEMBER 3 OF THE SAID YEAR IN WHICH WE READ: "FU ANCO TRATTATO IN CONSIGLIO SOPRA LO SGRAVARE IL NEGOTIO DELA CECHA DI TANTE CASE E FU CONCLUSO ESSER BENE E COSÌ SI EFFETTUERA".

IN ADDITION TO THE HOUSE OF THE MINT, THE GONZAGAS KEPT AN ASSAY AND EXCHANGE OFFICE WHICH DID NOT RESID IN THE ROOM OF THE MINT ITSELF.

FROM SOME DOCUMENTS WE READ THAT THIS OFFICE WAS LOCATED UNDER THE SO-CALLED PRISON VAULT, IN THE BROLETTO SQUARE.

THERE ARE DESCRIBED TWO "COMMISSIONS" OF THE CHAMBER MAGISTRATE WHICH CONFIRM THIS LOCATION.

THE FIRST DATED JANUARY 10, 1615.

COMMISSIONE CHE SI DEBBA PAGARE A FELICE BOLGARINI L’AFFITTO DELLA SUA BOTTEGA POSTA SOTTO LA VOLTA DELLE PRIGIONI PRESA PER SERVIZIO DELLA ZECCA.

THE SECOND DATED JANUARY 26, 1615.

COMMISSIONE CHE SI PAGHINO A CECILIA SAVIOLI CASTELLI GLI AFFITTI DELLA BOTTEGA POSTA SOTTO LA VOLTA DELLE PRIGIONI PRESA PER COMODO DELLA E ZECCA.

THE AUSTRIACS WHO SUCCEEDED THE GONZAGA IN THE DOMINION OF MANTUA ESTABLISHED THEIR MINT IN THE GONZAGA PALACE NEAR PORTA PUSTERLA WHICH WAS BUILT BY THE MARQUIS FRANCESCO II.

COIN MINING SYSTEMS

TOWARDS THE END OF THE 16TH CENTURY WE CONTINUE TO MINT WITH THE HAMMER, EVEN FOR COINS OF LARGE MODULUS SUCH AS THE SILVER DUCATONI.

THE SCREW DIE-CUTTING MACHINE IS USED FOR BLANKING THE LOGS USED FOR THICKNESSES AND GOLD SHIELDS.

THIS DIE CUTTER WAS NOT ABLE TO CUT MORE THAN HALF A MILLIMETER.

THE DIE-CUTTING MACHINES WERE USED FOR CUTTING THE GROSSI, QUATTRINI AND SCUDI IN GOLD.

OTHER COINS SUCH AS TESTONI, HALF PLATES AND PLATES WERE CUT WITH SHEARS.

THE LATTER ARE FINISHED ON THE EDGES BY PRESSURE OF CALENDERS WITH THE MOVEMENT OF OPPOSED ROLLS.

THE DIES FOR TYPING SILVER SCUDS REMAINED UNCHANGED IN THEIR STRUCTURE.

THE GREATER DIAMETER, OF THE END WHERE THEY RECEIVED THE BLOW OF THE HAMMER, MUCH INCREASED THE LOAD FORCE OF THE IMPRESSION ON THE METAL.

IN THIS WAY, THE DIES COULD BEAT LOGS UP TO A DIAMETER GREATER THAN 60-70 MILLIMETERS.

THE DIAMETER OF THE DUCATONI DID NOT CREATE KEYING PROBLEMS, SINCE THE RECEIVING DIE, USUALLY SLIGHTLY CONCAVE DUE TO THE STABILITY OF THE PLANT, RECEIVED FROM THE MOBILE DIE (THE HAMMER), THE SO-CALLED CROSS IMPRESSION CARRIED OUT IN THREE OR FOUR BEATS .

 CLICK  TWICE TO  ENLARGE  + 70 X OF ORIGINAL 

THIS BEATING WAS CARRIED OUT LATERALLY ON THE ROLL AND THE FINAL ONE WAS FLAT TOWARDS THE CENTER.

THE FINAL PRODUCT OF THE CURRENCY WAS GIVEN BY THE SKILL OF THE PERFORMER USED TO BEAT THE BUNTS.

THIS "ART" WAS WELL PAID BY THE MINT.

WITH THE PASSING OF TIME MODERN TECHNOLOGIES LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW EVER BIGGER CUTTING PRESSES.

THESE WERE ABLE TO CARRY OUT METALS WITH MUCH HIGHER THICKNESSES.

AN EXAMPLE ARE THE SILVER COINS OF LARGE MODULE SUCH AS THE DUCATONI.

 CLICK  TWICE TO  ENLARGE  + 70 X OF ORIGINAL 

IT SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THAT ALTHOUGH THESE CUTTING PRESSES WERE BY FAR MUCH FASTER THAN THE DIE-CUTTING MACHINES, THEY INEVITABLY LEFT MANY IRREGULARITIES ON THE EDGES OF THE COINS.

FOR THE CLIPPERS THESE DEFECTS WERE A SOURCE OF PROFIT, SINCE THE WEIGHT OF THESE SILVER COINS WAS HIGH, THEREFORE DIFFICULT TO CHECK THROUGH THE MONETARY WEIGHTS OF COMPARISON.

COIN CUTTING WAS FOR THOSE TIMES AN INSURMUNTABLE NEGATIVE BLOOD FOR THE MINT.

THE DEFINITIVE SOLUTION OF THIS DAMAGE FOR THE MINT ARRIVED TOWARDS THE END OF 1600, WITH THE INVENTION OF AN "EDMING" MACHINE ABLE TO EDGE THE SIDE OF THE COIN, THROUGH A COINING CARRIED OUT ON A ROLLER.

THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER TOOL CALLED "RUBBING", THIS WAS FORMED BY A HARDENED BAR IN THE SHAPE OF A HALF-MOON IN WHICH THE ALLEGORY WAS ENGRAVED AT THE END.

THIS FINAL PART OF THE KNURLING MACHINE WAS AT ITS END MADE WITH A MOBILE CYLINDER FIXED BY A PIN.

ANOTHER TYPE OF COINING WAS CALLED "BLOCK", THIS WAS ANCHORED TO THE TWO SIDE ENDS OF THE PRESS THROUGH CHAINS CALIBRATED IN THEIR LENGTH IN A VARIABLE WAY.

THE CURRENCY OF ACCOUNT

1 LIRA MANTUA = 20 SOLDI

20 MONEY = 240 DENARIES

1 SOLDO = 12 DENARIES

 CLICK  TWICE TO  ENLARGE  + 70 X OF ORIGINAL 

 CLICK  TWICE TO  ENLARGE  + 70 X OF ORIGINAL 

FERIS TANTVM INFENSVS

THE MEANING OF THE LEGEND THAT ACCOMPANIES THE R/ THE DUCATONE OF VINCENZO II WITH THE DOG, INDICATES THAT IT IS DANGEROUS ONLY FOR WILD ANIMALS, UNDERLINING ITS DEFENSIVE FUNCTIONS AND PROCLAIMING THAT VINCENZO II WANTS TO BE A HOSTILE PROTECTOR FOR HIS SUBJECTS ONLY TO ENEMIES.

OF THE TYPE OF THE DUCATONE WITH THE "DOG", THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT COINS THAT REPRESENT THEM.

THESE DOGS REPRESENTED ARE OF DIFFERENT BREED.

THE FIRST, FROM THE TEXTS CONSULTED BY ME, REPORT TEXTUALLY THAT THE SMALL STATURE DOG PICTURED IS A SPANISH OR MOLOSSO GREAT ANE.

THE SECOND DOG IS A SIGHThound OF THE GONZAGHESCA BREED OF LEPORARIUS MAGNUS.

FOR BOTH THE FIRST (FIG. 2468) AND THE SECOND TYPE (FIG. 2469), THE CONIII, ARE CARRIED OUT BY GASPARE MORONI MOLA.

THE I.O.F. WHICH APPEARS UNDER THE BUST OF VINCENZO II, INDICATES THE ENGRAVER GIACOMO OZEGNI.

GASPARE MORONI MOLA

GASPARE MORONI MOLA, GRANDSON OF GASPARE MOLA, WAS ALSO AN ENGRAVER.

ALTHOUGH HIS DATE OF BIRTH IS NOT DOCUMENTED, IT IS ASCERTAINED THAT HE ENTERED THE GONZAGA COURT OF MANTUA AS A YOUNG MAN.

IN THE YEAR 1627 HE DEBUT WITH A DUCATONE CALLED DEL CANE, FINISHING THE ENGRAVING OF THE COINS WITHIN THE MONTH OF APRIL OF THAT YEAR.

GASPARE MORONI MOLA INTRODUCED THE CUSTOM, NEVER RECORDED BEFORE, OF ENGRAVING YOUR NAME ON COINS.

G.M.

G.MOL.

GAS.MOL.

GAS. PIER.

GASP.MOLES.

G. MOLO.

ON 16 MAY 1627, THE DAY ON WHICH VINCENZO II GONZAGA WAS SOLEMNLY CROWNED, SOME DUCATONS WERE THROWN TOGETHER WITH OTHER COINS TO THE CELEBRANT PEOPLE.

ON THE DEATH OF VINCENZO II GONZAGA HE WORKED FOR CHARLES GONZAGA OF NEVERS.

A NOTARY DEED SHOWS THAT IN THE YEAR 1633 GASPARE MORONI MOLA WAS STILL WORKING AT THE MANTUA MINT.

IN THE YEAR 1637 HE WAS OPERATIVE IN ROME.

COLLABORATING WITH HIS UNCLE GASPARE AND ORAZIO GHIBELLINI, HE WAS ENGAGED IN THE CREATION OF COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS.

ON THE DEATH OF HIS UNCLE GASPARE MORONI MOLA, HE SUCCEEDED IN THE APPOINTMENT AS FIRST ENGRAVER AT THE PAPAL MINT.

IN ROME, IN FEBRUARY 1640 TO ALL PURPOSES ASSUMED ALREADY BEFORE JUNE 1637, BY CONTRACT WITH THE HOLY SEE, RECEIVED THE FIRST SALARY.

UP TO THE YEAR 1665 IT MADE ALL THE PONTIFICAL ANNUAL MEDALS AND MANY COINS ISSUED BY INNOCENT X, ALEXANDER VII AND CLEMENT IX.

IN THE YEAR 1668, THE ENGRAVER GIROLAMO LUCENTI TAKES THE CHARGE OF MORONI MOLA.

THERE IS NO NEWS ABOUT THE DEATH OF GASPARO MORONI MOLA PROBABLY OCCURRING IN THE SAME YEAR 1668.

ELEONORA GONZAGA

1685-1741

DAUGHTER OF VINCENZO DUCA DI GUASTALLA

DAUGHTER OF VINCENZO GONZAGA DUKE OF GUASTALLA AND OF MARIA VITTORIA SECOND CHILD OF FERRANTE III

ELEONORA MARRIED FRANCESCO MARIA DE' MEDICI IN 1709.

IT APPEARS THAT THE MARRIAGE WAS NOT CONSUMED DUE TO THE OPPOSITION OF ELEONORA WHO LIVED IN FLORENCE UNTIL JANUARY 1729, THE YEAR IN WHICH THEY RETURNED DEFINITELY TO GUASTALLA.

THE CAUSE OF THE MERGER NOT PERFECTLY SUCCESSFUL.

THESE MEDALS ARE HARDLY FOUND WITHOUT MARKS DUE TO THE CORRECTIVE MECHANICAL BULIN WORK DUE TO THE LOW RELIEF OF THE FIGURES AND LEGENDS.

COUNT MAGNAGUTI WRONGLY ATTRIBUTED THIS MEDAL TO ELEONORA DE' MEDICI, SECOND WIFE OF DUKE VINCENZO I.

AL D/.

THE DESCRIPTION ACCLAUDS ELEONORA GONZAGA ETRVR(iae) PRINCEPS, (Eleonora Gonzaga Princess of Tuscany).

AL R/.

SECVNDIS DVBIISQUE RECTA, (standing upright in favorable and dubious events), TOGETHER WITH THE LAUREL, A PLANT SACRED TO APOLLO, SYMBOL OF POETRY AND VIRIDESCENCE, ALLUDATE TO ELEONORA'S RIGHTEOUSNESS TOWARDS HER OWN MORAL INTENTIONS, DESPITE LUCK NOT ALWAYS FAVORABLE.

SOURCES BIBLIOGRAPHY

 ATTILIO PORTIOLI - THE MINT OF MANTUA VOL.25- (1879).