(sold for $53.0)

1658, Monaco, Honore II. Silver 1/12 Ecu (5 Sols / Luigino) Coin. VF- Rare!

Mint Year: 1667
Mint Place: Monaco
Condition: Pierced, otherwise a nice VF+
Denomination: 1/12 Ecu (Luigino of 5 Sols)
Reference: Cammarano 259, KM-25 ($500 in VF!). R!
Diameter: 21mm
Material: Silver
Weight: 2.18gm

Obverse: Draped profile bust of Honoré II right.
Legend: HON . II . G . PRIN . MONOECI .

Reverse: Crowned shield with coat-of-arms of the Principality of Monaco.
Legend: DVX ALENT . PAR . S . FRANCIAE . 1658 (privy mark: lion)

Honoré II (24 December 1597 – 10 January 1662) was Sovereign Prince of Monaco. He was the first to be called Prince, but started his reign as Lord of Monaco.

Honoré II was born on December 24, 1597. He was the son of Hercule, Lord of Monaco (24 September 1562 – 21 November 1604) and Maria Landi. His father was murdered when he was six, and he succeeded under the regency of his uncle, Frederico Landi, 4th Prince of Val di Taro. Landi was a loyal ally and friend of Spain and allowed the country to be occupied by Spanish troops in 1605. The inhabitants of Monaco were prohibited to carry arms and the Prince and his two sisters were moved to Milan. The Council of Monaco tried to limit Spanish power but the occupation lasted until 1614, and a strong Spanish influence remained until 1633, when it recognized Honoré as a sovereign prince.

From adulthood, Honoré started to criticize Spain and turned to France for support. Louis XIII gave him the support he needed and this resulted in the Treaty of Péronne. This ended Spanish rule and put Monaco under French protection, recognizing and guaranteeing Monegasque sovereignty. As a consequence Honoré lost his Spanish and Italian possessions, but was compensated by King Louis XIII of France with the marquisate Les Baux and the title of Duke of Valentinois.

During his reign he did much to extend, rebuild and transform the Genoese fortress that was the Grimaldi's stronghold into what is today Monaco's Princely Palace.

Honoré died on January 10, 1662. He was interred in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas (it stood on the location of the current cathedral) in Monaco.

A collector's silver coin has been issued by the Treasury of Monaco portraying Honoré II on the occasion of the 400th anniversary (1612 - 2012) of the use of the title "Sovereign Prince" the silver coin has a €10 face value.

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