Auction house Piguet announces the second part of the numismatic collection that belonged to Princess Marie-Gabrielle of Savoy, heiress of the Italian royal house. The new sales round follows the success of the first part, which concluded between June and September 2025 with 100 percent of lots sold. The event puts 80 new lots up for sale, intended to expand and complete the private collection of medals and commemorative objects of Kings Victor-Emmanuel III and Humbert II with bids estimated between 60 and 3,000 euros. The pieces will be on public display in Geneva at Piguet Auction House from Dec. 4-7, while the auction will be held exclusively online from Nov. 27 to Dec. 7. The collection testifies to centuries of numismatic production by the Savoy family, offering a multifaceted panorama from the 17th to the 20th century. Among the oldest lots are medals from the Electorate of Bavaria and the Holy Roman Empire, commemorating royal births and marriages, such as pieces dedicated to Ferdinand Marie de Wittelsbach and Henriette-Adélaïde de Savoie. Numerous gold and silver medals celebrate notable historical events, including the War of the Spanish Succession, the Treaty of Rastatt, and the conquest of Belgrade by Prince Eugene of Savoy-Carignan.
Major lots in the collection include commemorative medals of the House of Savoy dating from the reigns of Charles Albert, Victor-Emmanuel II and III, Humbert II and other historical figures of the Savoy branch, including Marie Christine, Emmanuel-Philibert, Marguerite and Hélène of Savoy. The objects document military events, civic celebrations, promotions and awards, through to commemorations of World War I and institutional anniversaries such as the centenary of the Order of the Crown.
The collection also includes rare medals of the Republic of Italy, including pieces commemorating the First Postal Exhibition in Milan in 1894 and the centenary of Italian postal unification in 1962. There is no shortage of medals of numismatic interest because of their material and workmanship, including 900 gold, fine silver, and enameled metals, which increase their historical and collector value. The September 2025 catalog provides a detailed history of the collection, while the Maison Piguet’s website offers an e-catalogue dedicated to past sales, to deepen knowledge of this prestigious collection and its most important pieces.
The offerings testify to the breadth and variety of the Savoy numismatic production, including commemorative medals related to births, marriages, battles and military promotions, as well as to major civic and scientific celebrations. Recurring themes include the War of Spanish Succession, the Austro-Ottoman campaigns, and the military career of Prince Eugene of Savoy-Carignan, with pieces celebrating his victories and posthumous memory. The lots include diverse sizes and materials, from the small 1.8 cm diameter Humbert II medals in gold and silver, to large 7.3 cm pieces in silver and bronze, with extremely rare 900 gold examples documenting the role of the royal family in national and international contexts. Each medal represents a historical document, bearing witness to specific moments and prominent figures of the House of Savoy, such as King Charles-Albert, King Victor Emmanuel III, queens such as Hélène of Montenegro and Marguerite of Savoy, up to Humbert II and his 1946 series of monetary proofs.
The sale constitutes an important opportunity for scholars and collectors, offering a comprehensive picture of Savoy numismatic production and allowing for a deeper understanding of one of the most comprehensive royal collections. The diversity of lots, both by period and material, reflects the historical complexity and cultural richness of the Italian royal family. With the second part, Piguet consolidates its role as a reference in the sale of prestigious numismatic collections, presenting objects that combine historical, artistic and collecting value. The entire collection offers a comprehensive overview of Savoy history and its celebrations, documented through medals spanning more than three centuries of European history, from the 17th to the 20th century, and also encompassing important moments in Italian and broader European history.
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| New Piguet auction: the second part of the Savoy's numismatic collection |
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