Neapolitan Carlino

The Neapolitan Carlino was frequently struck on planchets recycled from melted-down Spanish reales, a practical reuse that highlights the era's frugal minting practices.

This silver coin, valued at about 1/20 of a ducat, circulated widely in the Kingdom of Naples from the 16th century onward. Designs varied by ruler, from Aragonese kings to Bourbon monarchs, often featuring a simple cross or the sovereign's profile. Sizes fluctuated too; some were as small as a modern dime, making them easy to lose in a pocketful of change.

We don't know exact mintages for most years, as records were spotty or destroyed in various conflicts. What survives are the coins themselves, showing wear from daily use in markets and taverns.

One oddity: I've pulled more fake Carlini from hoards than genuine ones, which says something about their popularity—and the scammers' ingenuity.