Genoa 1796 96 lire
The first specimen was lot 1958 in Jean Elsen sale 162 (Brussels, June 2025), where it sold for €15,000 (about US$20,790 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, GÊNES, Dogi biennali (1528-1797), AV 96 lire, 1796. D/ Écu couronné, tenu par deux griffons. R/ La Madone à l'enfant sur une nuée. État de conservation exceptionnel. (Italy, republic of Genoa, biennial doges, 1528-1797, gold 96 lire of 1796. Obverse: crowned arms, supported by two griffins; reverse: Madonna and Child on a cloud. Exceptional condition, Uncirculated.)"
The second specimen was lot 42540 in Stack's Bowers Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction (Pittsburgh, September 2026), where it sold for $6,100. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Genoa. 96 Lire, 1796. Genoa Mint. PCGS AU-58. Displaying only the lightest instance of handling, this 96 Lire is luminous with golden luster, and an essentially full allotment of details. A few noticeable die cracks crisscross the surfaces, only adding to the overall appeal of the example." The republic of Genoa issued silver one, two, four and eight lire and gold 12 lire, 24 lire, 48 lire and 96 lire 1793-97 in its final years before occupation and annexation by the French. Genoa never recovered its independence; in 1815 it was annexed by the kingdom of Sardinia and is now part of Italy.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 25.21 g, 0.909 fine gold, 33 mm diameter, the first specimen 25,20 g.
Catalog reference: KM 251, Lunardi 360; M.I.R. 275/4; Fr-444.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 2014.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 162: Collection Jacques Druart, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2026.
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