Italian Somaliland 1925-R 5 lire
This specimen was lot 2267 in Sincona sale 43 (Zürich, October 2017), where it sold for 850 CHF (about US$1,014 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALY | Königreich, Vittorio Emanuele III. 1900-1946 5 Lire 1925 R. Roma Prägung für Somalia. Selten in dieser Erhaltung. Fast FDC. PCGS MS64. (kingdom of Italy, Victor Emanuel III, 1900-46, five lire of 1925, Rome mint, struck for Somalia. Rare in this condition, About uncirculated.)"
Prior to 1921, coinage for Italy's colony in Africa was based on the rupee of British India. This one year type was accompanied by a silver ten lire. Surprisingly, it contained more silver than the contemporary five lire current in Italy proper. Both issues are rather scarce.
Recorded mintage: 400,000.
Specification: 6 g, 0.835 fine silver, 25.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Pagani 990, KM-7; Gig-33; Mont-481.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Gigante, Fabio, Gigante 2016: Catalogo Nazionale delle Monete Italiano Dal '700 All'Euro, 24a ed. Varese, Italy, 2015.
- Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 2014.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Sincona sale 43, Gold and Silver Coins and Medals, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2017.
Link to:
- 1919 rupia
- 1925 10 lire
- Italy 1927-R 5 lire
- Coins and currency dated 1925
- return to coins of Somalia