The Crown of Aragon. Peter of Portugal, Count of Barcelona (1464-1466). Dobler. Menorca. Imitating the Majorcan types struck by Juan II (1458-1462). (Acta Numismática-nº43). Anv.: + IOHANES : DEI : GRACIA : REX. Crowned bust facing forward within a lobed frame. In the upper right field it seems to have a mark in the shape of a slightly elongated roundel.. Rev.: + ARAGON(UM nexated) - ET MAIOR. Cross. Bi. 0,98 g. Circular frame on the obverse. The second known example. Of the highest numismatic interest. Menorca, May 15, 1465. Don Pedro of Portugal, at the request of the university of Mahón, granted a license to its syndics and the island of Menorca to mint 2,000 pounds of Doblers. These coins were to be of the same standard and follow similar designs to those issued in Mallorca, for which Don Antonio Solsona was appointed as mint master.
In Acta Numismática 43, the article "És aquest el dobler de Menorca de Pere de Portugal (1464-1466)" details the reasons behind the minting of this coin, entirely unknown until the appearance of the specimen published in that issue.
The reasons highlighted in Acta are as follows:
1.No Dobler with a lobed border is known. Such borders are found only in gold and silver issues, never in billon.
2.All Dobler or Dinero issues from Mallorca from Sancho to Ferdinand the Catholic feature marks on both sides of the bust, referencing the mint masters.
3.The bust on this issue has a somewhat unique style, but the primary difference lies in the art of the legend’s lettering.
4.Most Doblers of Alfonso and John II are common, or scarce in the case of obols; however, the coin presented here was entirely unknown until the publication of its "sister" in Acta Numismática 43.
The specimen offered shares the obverse die and shows a fully legible obverse legend, "+ IOHANES," in contrast to the previously known and published example, which had an incomplete legend. This specimen also appears to have a mark in the upper right field of the obverse, an elongated pellet resembling a "G" and engraved in positive, ruling out a countermark. This makes this second known specimen unpublished as well.
Undoubtedly, this Dobler holds immeasurable value, not only numismatic but also historical, for the Balearic Islands and Catalonia, given that Don Pedro of Portugal (1464-1466) governed both regions.
New world record of hammer price. Almost VF/Choice F. Est...5000,00.