Papal States 1866-R lira
This specimen was lot 3205 in Steve Album Auction 51 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2025), where it sold for $48. The catalog description[1] noted, "PAPAL STATES: Pius IX, 1846-1878, AR lira, 1866-R year XXI, an attractive mint state example, PCGS graded MS62." In 1866, the pope abandoned the scudo and baiocco in favor of the lira as used by his neighbor, the kingdom of Italy. One scudo was 5.375 lira. This denomination was struck in large quantities in numerous varieties, of which the medium bust (KM 1377.3) is shown here. The large bust (KM 1378) was struck 1866-68. In 1870, French troops left Rome and the Italian army moved in, annexing what was left of the Papal State.
Recorded mintage: 100 of KM 1377.1 plus 1,765,000 of KM 1377.2 plus 275,000 of KM 1377.3 plus 1,675,000 of KM 1378.
Specification: 5 g, 0.835 fine silver, 23 mm diameter, engraved by Carl Friedrich Voigt.
Catalog reference: Berman-3340, KM 1377.1 (small bust), KM 1377.2 (small bust), KM-1377.3 (medium bust), KM 1378 (large bust).
- 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 Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 51, featuring the Howard Daniel III Collection of Asian Coins, the Almer H. Orr III Collection of World Coins and the Joe Sedillot Collection of German Coins, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2024.
Link to: