Parpagliola Coin: Duchy of Savoy & Italian States

Illustrated Specimen Details: Parpagliola

Example Specimen: Parpagliola, 1584-1586 — Duchy of Savoy (Italian States)

This billon (low-grade silver) coin was issued under Charles Emmanuel I (Carlo Emanuele di Savoia, known as "Testa di Fuoco" or "Head of Fire"), the Duke of Savoy and ruler of the Savoyard states.

The obverse bears the Latin legend D G DVX SABAVDIE (Duke of Savoy by the grace of God) surrounding a cross set inside an elegant ornamental quatrefoil. The reverse features the legend CAROLVS EMANVEL alongside the Coat of Arms of the Dukes of Savoy, also enclosed within a quatrefoil. The distinctive "B" symbol located under the coat of arms serves as the mint mark for the city of Bessans.

1. ITALIAN STATES (16th-17th centuries) — Duchy of Savoy, Duchy of Milan, Duchy of Parma and Piacenza, Duchy of Mantua, Castiglione Delle Stiviere, County of Cocconato, Lordship of Frinco...: 1 parpagliola = 30 denari
2. SWISS CANTONS (15th-16th centuries) — Lordship of Mesocco: 1 parpagliola = one-sixteenth testone
3. FRENCH REGIONAL ISSUES (15th-16th centuries) — Savoy..: 1 parpagliola = one-tenth livre

 

History and Etymology of the Parpagliola

Etymology: The name "parpagliola" has a fascinating linguistic origin. It derives from the French term parpaillole, which was used for various Provençal medieval coins. Digging deeper into its roots, the word ultimately traces back to the French word for "butterfly" — papillon.

The parpagliola (also spelled parpaiolle) was a characteristic minor denomination of the late medieval and Renaissance periods. It appeared starting in the 14th century and was widely circulated through the 16th century, functioning primarily within the complex monetary systems of the northern Apennine Peninsula, as well as adjacent regions of France and Switzerland. Today, numismatists most often associate it with the coinage of the former Duchy of Savoy and the Duchy of Milan.

Value and Circulation

Despite its low weight (usually under 2 grams) and base silver or billon composition, the parpagliola occupied a relatively high position among the minor circulating change of the era. Within the Italian hierarchy of denominations, it was frequently linked to the denaro-based system, typically valued at 30 denari, or 2 soldi and 6 denari.

The name itself eventually became synonymous with small, everyday pocket change of modest quality. Because of its wide acceptance in local and regional markets across various jurisdictions, the parpagliola was heavily counterfeited at the time, adding a layer of historical complexity for modern collectors.

Design and Legacy

Due to the small flan size and its function as a utilitarian trade coin, the engraving quality was usually simple and practical. The designs typically featured crosses, regional shields, or abbreviated royal titles. Surviving specimens are frequently found heavily worn or weakly struck. Nevertheless, as monetary systems modernized and higher-value denominations became standardized, the parpagliola gradually disappeared, making these small billon coins an excellent representation of Italy's transition from medieval to early modern economics.