Italy 1813-M 2 lire
This specimen was lot 21218 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Philadelphia, August 2018), where it sold for $3,120. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Kingdom of Napoleon. 2 Lire, 1813-M. Milan Mint. PCGS MS-64 PL Secure Holder. Bold 1/8 in date. The overall quality conveys exceptional refinement, with stunningly smooth glass-like gleam through the obverse and reverse fields and design elements that are sharply impressed and without even the slightest instance of weakness. Breathtakingly toned as well, it's certain that this piece, which displays almost no signs of past handling, rested inside of a fine Italian cabinet for ages. For similar reason to those outlined in the description for the 1815 Parma 2 Lire later in this sale (see lot # 21276), we believe this coin is more appropriately designated as a proof rather than a prooflike striking as deemed by PCGS. Furthering this sentiment, another fine example of this date, while untoned, appeared in the May 2013 Sincona auction (Auction 11 - Lot 1690), where their attribution was polierter platte which literally translates to polished plate and is the term used for proof throughout much of Europe. All said, we leave it up to the ultimate buyer to decide what they think, as either classification makes this piece no less exceptional. A true numismatic beauty!" This coin was struck in Milan for Napoleon's kingdom of Italy which lasted 1804-1814. The two lire piece matched the French two francs and was struck in some numbers 1807-14. It was also struck in Venice and Bologna.
Recorded mintage: 215,461.
Specification: 10 g, 0.900 fine silver, 28 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM C9.1; Gig-137; Mont-242.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th 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]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio and Chris Chatigny, The August 2018 Philadelphia ANA Auction: World Coins and Selections from the El Dorado Collection of Colombian Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.
Link to: