SOVEREIGN KNIGHTS OF MALTA: Prince Arnaldo Petrucci di Vacone e di

SOVEREIGN KNIGHTS OF MALTA: Prince Arnaldo Petrucci di Vacone e di Siena, 1977-2017, 5-coin proof set, 2004, commemorative issues by The Knights of Malta to honor the life of Pope John Paul II, containing 1.89 ounces of pure gold; the set has the following denominations: 10,000 Lire KM-X319 John Paul II before the Vatican with the Swiss guard below, 5,000 Lire KM-X318 Saint standing between Pope John Paul II and Archbishop seated, 2,500 Lire KM-X317 Papal arms at left and half-length figure of Pope John Paul II facing holding cross, 1,000 Lire KM-X316 Pope John Paul II at stone wall, and 500 Lire KM-X315 Bust of Pope John Paul II left, the common obverses have a Crest of the Knights of Malta crowned; the set also includes a large bronze medal; this was a limited edition set issued with a mintage of only 1,000 sets, set in original case of issue with COA, R. Once connected with the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, but apparently now independent, an "Order" of the same name was founded by Basilio Petrucci, "Prince of Vacona and Sienna". He died in 1977 and his son, Arnaldo, apparently adopted his father's claims and pseudo-titles. The Petrucci "princes" pretend that their ancestor was accorded the hereditary Grand Magistery of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem by Grand Master de la Cassiere in 1581, a concession which the Grand Master could not in any case have legally made and the claim to which is unsupported by any contemporary documentary evidence. Petrucci's Order has also issued "passports" and established its own "Consular Corps" and "Diplomatic Service", as well as issuing fantasy coins denominated in lire.

Estimate: 3,500-4,000 USD