Sicily

Peter I (III of Aragon) & Constance II, King and Queen of Sicily 1282-1285

Fr-654, PCGS-graded MS-66

The Sicilian eagle in all its glory. A fabulous example of this rarity with rich gold patina!

One of the greatest of medieval Aragonese monarchs, Peter was encouraged by disenchanted Sicilian rebels to invade the island; he became its king in 1282. Earlier, he and his queen, Constance of Hohenstaufen, produced a number of children, among them three sons. He died of unknown causes in 1285, just three years into his reign as King of Sicily, and left Aragon to his eldest son, Alfonso, and Sicily to his second son, James. His third son, Frederick, in succession to his brother James, became regent of Sicily and ultimately its king.