Italy 1932-R 5 lire
This specimen was lot 34075 in Heritage sale 3098 (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $2,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "Italy: Vittorio Emanuele III 5 Lire 1932-R MS66 NGC, Rome mint. A very rare issue that saw only 50 examples struck in total. Of jewel-like preservation, featuring a needle-sharp strike and stunning mint brilliance that whirls over the fields upon rotation in hand. An airy and subtle silver patina contributes a refined appeal to this stunning gem-- the finest certified by NGC of just two examples for this date, and tied for the finest certified across the fleeting 1931-1935 series as a whole." This type was struck for the kingdom of Italy 1926-35. The weight and fineness matches that of the old silver lira, last minted in 1917. Vittorio Emanuele III succeeded his father Umberto upon the latter's assassination in 1900, but by 1932 he was the helpless tool of the Fascists, whose symbol appears on the reverse. The issues of 1926-30 are readily available but those of 1931-35 are rare, being struck for presentation only.
Recorded mintage: 50.
Specification: 5 g, 0.835 fine silver, .134 troy oz ASW, 23 mm diameter, lettered edge.
Catalog reference: KM 67.1, Mont-127 (R3), Pag-715.
- 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]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, NYINC World Coins Signature Auction 3098, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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