Papal States 1866-R 2 lire KM-1379.2
This specimen was lot 75290 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $100. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Papal States. 2 Lire, 1866-R Year XXI. Rome Mint. Pius IX. NGC MS-62. A pleasing problem-free 2 Lire piece with argent luster and fine details." The early coinage of the Papal States used an antique monetary system. Five quattrini = one baiocco; 5 baiocchi = 1 grosso; 6 grossi = 4 carlini = 3 paoli = 1 testone; 10 testone = 1 doppia; 100 baiocchi = 1 scudi. In 1866, the currency was reformed to use centesimi and lire in order to match that of the surrounding kingdom of Italy. This type is listed for 1866-68. In 1870, the Papal States were occupied and annexed by the kingdom of Italy and coinage ceased until 1929.
Recorded mintage: 987,000.
Specification: 10 g, 0.835 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-1379.2; Gig-286, Berman 3339.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The November 2022 Collectors Choice Ancient & World Coins Auction, Featuring the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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