Papal Sestino

The Papal Sestino's design changed with every pope's election, forcing mint workers to scrap and restart production mid-cycle.

This copper coin, struck in Rome or Bologna depending on the era, typically featured the reigning pope's bust on the obverse and symbols like the tiara on the reverse. Valued at six quattrini, it handled the Papal States' daily transactions from 1620 until the French occupation in 1797. Exact mintages remain murky; archives burned in various upheavals, leaving us to guess at the numbers.

Variations in weight and edge details suggest quality control varied, perhaps due to rushed work after a papal death. If you're handling one, note the patina—it's often the only clue to its age. Collectors chase these for the papal succession they represent, not some mythical aura.

Plenty of fakes exist; spotting them requires a steady eye, something I've honed over decades.