English: Italy, Kingdom of Naples. Ferdinand I "Ferrante" of Aragon. 1458-1494.

AR Coronato (3.96 gm). Naples mint; Giancarlo Tramontano, mintmaster. Struck 1488-1494.

FERRANDVS (double annulet) D (double annulet) G (double annulet) R (annulet) SICILIE (double annulet) I (double annulet), crowned, armored, and draped bust right; T behind bust

St. Michael standing facing, holding spear and shield, slaying dragon underfoot; three annulets on spear.

Notes:

Ferdinand, the illegitimate son of Alfonso the Magnanimous of Aragon, was installed as king of Naples upon his father's death in 1458, having resided in Italy for the previous twenty years.

Although the coinage accords him the title of King of Sicily (and Jerusalem), Alphonso's younger brother John held Aragon, Sardinia and Sicily. Ferdinand I, called Ferrante to distinguish him from Ferdinand the Catholic, was thoroughly Italian in his outlook, patronizing the arts and centers of learning, while ruling with utter ruthlessness.

His coronato coll'angelo, with its striking image of the Lord's justice, marks the suppression of the "Conspiracy of the Barons" (1485-1487), a revolt by local Italian nobles upset by the growing power of the Neopolitan king.

Ferrante had promised pardons to those nobles who surrendered, but after the end of the rebellion he imprisoned and executed the leaders of the uprising.

His faithlessness earned Ferrante a blackened reputation for cruelty and betrayal.