Modena Testone
Italy
1598–1859
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Estimated Melt Value
$21.87
Based on Silver spot price ($79.57/oz) · 90.0% purity · 9.5g
Updated 9:52 AM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Italy |
| Years Minted | 1598–1859 |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 9.5 g |
| Diameter | 29 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Plain |
Design
Obverse
Features the portrait of the Duke of Modena.
Reverse
Depicts the coat of arms of Modena.
History & Notable Facts
The Modena Testone's most striking feature was its depiction of the ruling duke, turning a simple silver coin into a rolling proclamation of Este family authority.
These coins, minted in the Duchy of Modena from the late 16th century onward, varied widely in design and metal content, reflecting shifting political winds. A typical Testone weighed around 9.5 grams of silver, but exact specifications depended on the year and the duke's priorities—records for many issues are spotty, lost in bureaucratic fires or wars.
What we do know is that the coin served as everyday currency, from paying taxes to buying bread. Its longevity, spanning over 250 years, says something about the duchy's stability, or at least its coin-makers' persistence.
Early versions might have been struck using recycled metal from foreign coins, a practical nod to frugal minting. As for collecting them, it can feel like chasing ghosts through history.
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