ITALY. Sicilia (Regno). Carlo I d'Angiò, 1266-1282. Reale d'oro (Gold, 20 mm, 5.28 g, 12 h), Barletta, 1266-1269. ✠KAROL - DEI:GRA Crowned and draped bust of Carlo I d'Angiò to left between fleur de lis and cross pattée. Rev. ✠R - EX:SI* - *CILI - E Coat of arms. Chimienti/Rapposelli 137. Friedberg 75. Grierson 624. Kowalski K3/C2. Spahr 12. Exceedingly rare. A wonderful piece with an exceptionally attractive portrait. Very minor die break on the obverse, otherwise, extremely fine.



Under Carlo I d'Angiò, sweeping monetary reforms were implemented in southern Italy, which had a significant impact on coinage across Europe. Alongside the heavy silver Grossi rinforzati, the Reale d'oro was particularly emblematic of this reform, representing an evolution of the Augustales of Frederick II (Federico II di Svevia). While the Augustales featured an idealized, classicizing imperial portrait, research suggests that the depiction of Carlo I d'Angiò on the Reale d'oro had a more lifelike, portrait-like quality. These coins were first minted in 1266 at the Barletta mint, a newly established branch of the main mint in Brindisi, but were officially issued from 1268 onward.