ITALY. Napoli (Regno). Carlos I d'Angiò, 1266-1285. Saluto (Gold, 22 mm, 4.38 g, 12 h), 1278-1285. ✠ AVЄ•GRACIA•PLЄnA•DOmInuS•TЄCUm The Annunciation: Archangel Gabriel standing left, holding lily and pointing toward the Virgin standing right; lily in vase between.
Rev. ✠ KAROL'•DЄI•GRA•IЄRL'm•SICILIЄ•RЄX Stars, rosettes, and crescent around two-part coat of arms of Jerusalem and Anjou. CNI XIX 1. Friedberg 808. Grierson/Travaini 675. MIR 18. Pannuti-Riccio 1. A beautiful coin of the finest high medieval style. Good extremely fine.
From the collection of Hendrik Hortz, religious studies scholar and journalist, privately acquired from Munthandel G. Henzen on 12 August 2019, ex Gorny & Mosch 205, 7 March 2012, 4096.
In 1278, Charles I of Anjou introduced the remarkable Saluto d'oro, a new coin type that would become iconic. For this venture, he employed artisans from the mints of Messina and Brindisi, the same experts behind Frederick II’s celebrated Augustalis. According to historical sources, King Charles personally reviewed the initial designs, expressing admiration for the work of his artist, Giovanni Fortino, despite occasional differences on finer details.
The reverse of the coin features a depiction of the Annunciation, with the Archangel Gabriel appearing to the Virgin Mary to foretell the birth of Jesus Christ. However, the coin's most innovative aspect lay in the royal decree that its image should remain upright when rotated - reintroducing the clear 12 h 'die alignment' last seen in antiquity with fixed die pairs. In doing so, Charles I became the first medieval ruler to revive this precise alignment technique.
