Naples 1813 20 lire
This specimen is lot 1099 on Jean Elsen price list 250 (Brussels, Oct/Dec 2009), where it was offered at €1000 (about US$1480). The catalog description noted, "ITALIE, NAPLES, Joachim Murat (1808-1815), AV 20 lire, 1813, Avec point après 20. Les rameaux longs. Très Beau (Italy, Naples, Joachim Murat (1808-15) gold 20 lire of 1813 with period after the 20 and long hair. VF)."
This coin was minted in Naples, Italy, in 1813 only, during the French occupation. Joachim Murat, whose portrait appears herein, was allowed to keep his throne after the abdication of Napoleon in 1814. When he joined Napoleon in his second bid for power during the Hundred Days, he was captured and shot and his kingdom returned to Bourbon misrule.
Recorded mintage: 42,000.
Specification: 6.45 g, 0.900 fine gold, .186 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: M-474; G-9b; Fr-860, KM C112.
- 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, 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.
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