Risposta ad un amico sopra le monete. CARPANI, Francesco Maria.

Rare first edition, discussing the monetary instability in the state of Milan and proposing a recasting of the currency in circulation to create a new national currency whose nominal value would correspond to the metal fineness. The work forms part of a broader intellectual debate that included Cesare Beccaria and Pietro Verri, both of whom responded with critical pamphlets. We have traced no copies in modern auction records and three in institutions worldwide. Under Spanish and later Austrian rule, Milan's monetary system became increasingly unstable, with a wide variety of local and foreign coinages - often struck from debased alloys - circulating simultaneously. Beccaria turned his attention to the issue and consulted with Verri, who encouraged him to publish his views. Upon learning that Beccaria was preparing a book, Carpani, eager to be the first to address the topic, expedited the publication of this work in March. In July, Beccaria released Del disordine e de' rimedj delle monete nello stato di Milano and Verri his Dialogo tra Fronimo e Simplicio, both challenging Carpani's position and arguing that producing new coins would not be economically viable for a state like Milan. Carpani replied disputing Beccaria's calculations in a public manifesto at the end of July, and Verri put an end to the debate undermining Carpani's arguments in his famous satirical pamphlet Il gran Zoroastro. Melzi I, p. 471. Octavo (183 x 113 mm), pp. 74, [2]. Large folding table. Modern quarter vellum, smooth spine divided by gilt fillets, compartments lettered and decorated in gilt, marbled paper-covered boards. Small trace from removed paper slip on verso of last page. Trivial rubbing to extremities, a little foxing on outer edge, contents, and folding table, otherwise generally clean. A very good copy.