Modena Bolognino

The Modena Bolognino's most enduring quirk is its 261-year production run, outlasting nine dukes of the Este family while remaining a steadfast copper denomination for the common folk. Struck in Modena from 1598 onward, these coins often bore the family's coat of arms, a shield with eagles and crosses that evolved slightly over time but never strayed far from its roots. Mintage figures vary by year; some records burned in the 1838 ducal archive fire, leaving gaps in our knowledge.

What we do know is that the Bolognino was typically about 20-25 millimeters in diameter, weighing around 2-3 grams, and designed for small transactions like bread or ale. Counterfeits popped up frequently, especially in the 1700s, as enterprising souls mixed in base metals to stretch supplies. It's no wonder they circulated widely, even crossing into neighboring states.

Collectors sometimes mistake it for a mere relic. That's shortsighted; this coin quietly held its ground through revolutions and reforms.