Asti. Ludovico II, duke of Orléans and lord of Milan and Asti, 1465–1498. Testone ca. 1491-1498, AR 9.62 g. ø 30 mm. Lily LVDOVICVS DVX AVRELIANENSIS Bust l., wearing cap. Rev. 'MEDIOLANI AC AST DN Crowned coat of arms, quartered of France and Milan, flanked by two lilies. MIR 60. MEC 12, 98. Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, among the finest specimens in private hands. Light iridescent tone and extremely fine Ex Künker sale 233, 2013, 2366. On succeeding Charles VIII in 1498, Louis XII continued French expansion in Italy, asserting his claim to the Duchy of Milan through the rights of succession inherited from his grandmother, Valentina Visconti. In 1499 he occupied Milan, consolidating French control over northern Italy. Asti, already closely connected with the French monarchy, became one of the principal centres of French administration and presence in Italy. The mint of Asti accordingly continued to strike coins in the name of Louis XII, following the established local monetary types and thereby providing significant numismatic evidence of French rule in the city. Please find here the video of the coin