Italy. Ducato 1809 - Banco de’ Poveri – Antico...

Found in an antique cabinet this document from 1809 of the Banco de’ Poveri – Ancient title/monetary document “CONTANTI” – 19th century – Precursor of paper money – Manuscript and sealed Rare and fascinating monetary document of the Banco de’ Poveri, a historic banking institution, fortuitously found inside an old piece of furniture and preserved to this day in a private collection. The lot shows strong relevance to the collecting of banknotes and historical paper money, as it belongs to that phase of the evolution of payment methods in which banking documents, pledges, certifications and titles representing sums of money could perform functions that anticipate or accompany those later proper to modern banknotes. So it is not a modern banknote in the current sense of the term, but rather a testimony to the history of paper money and banking activity, particularly interesting for understanding the evolution that will lead to modern banknote currency. At the top stands the denomination “BANCO DE’ POVERI”, set in an elaborate ornamental frame. In the center is the monogram IHS within a radiating sunburst and, immediately below, the significant inscription “CONTANTI”. The document presents a remarkable quantity of handwritten elements: text in refined cursive, numerals, signatures, subscriptions, administrative and accounting annotations, plus an old seal/stamp at the bottom. Of particular charm are the elaborate calligraphic flourishes, which also served the practical function of occupying the spaces of the document and making alteration or counterfeiting more difficult, in line with the customs typical of ancient financial and banking documentation. The entire sheet is also framed by a rich floral typographic border, giving it a striking aesthetic impact in addition to historical and numismatic interest. Relevance to paper money The lot is of particular interest to the banknote collector because it documents a period in which the value and transfer of money were not represented exclusively by metallic coin. The documents issued or used by ancient banks formed an important chapter in the development of paper money titles and payment systems, historically placing themselves in the path that leads to the subsequent diffusion of banknotes. For this reason the document can be considered of particular interest within the history of paper money, scripophily and Italian banking history. Preservation and provenance The document was found inside an antique piece of furniture, a circumstance that makes its provenance especially evocative. It shows evident and natural signs of time: yellowing of the paper, foxing, stains, oxidation and traces of use, all clearly visible in the photographs. Catalog prices sometimes exceed 1000 euros. Fast and tracked shipping, the first photo is representative of the document. The following photos show what is being delivered.

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