Papal States 1864-R 5 baiocchi
This specimen was lot 898 in Steve Album Auction 53 (Santa Rosa, CA, September 2025), where it sold for $720. The catalog description[1] noted, "PAPAL STATES: Pius IX, 1846-1870, AR 5 baiocchi, 1864-R year XIX, a stunning mint state example! PCGS graded MS67. The finest graded at PCGS!" This type was struck at Rome and Bologna 1847-66. Until 1865, it was struck in 0.800 fine silver. This debasement forced the other countries of the Latin Monetary Union (especially France) to debase their silver minors as well. Another coinage reform in 1866 dropped the scudo in favor of the lira used in the rest of the kingdom of Italy. This subtype was struck 1856-64 with the 1864 known only with regnal date XIX. This example sold for nearly five times the catalog value.
Recorded mintage: 101,326.
Specification: 1.42 g, 0.800 fine silver, 16.5 mm diameter, reeded edge.
Catalog reference: KM-1341b, Berman-3319.
- Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
- Francesco Muntoni, Le Monete del Papi e Degli Stati Pontifici, 4 vols. Rome: P & P Santamaria, 1973.
- 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]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Hanbing Feng, Auction 53, featuring Selections from the Dr. Robert A. Rosenfeld, Almer H. Orr III, Dr. Dirk Loer and Joe Sedillot Collections, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2025.
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