Papal States 1869-R 20 lire
This specimen was lot 6856 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2017), where it sold for $423. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Papal States. 20 Lire, 1869 Year 23-R. PCGS AU-58. Large bust. Sharply struck with crisp devices all around. Flashy lustrous metal in fields beneath a light sheen of toning while devices have taken a more orange hue. No interrupting marks or distractions and only a light touch of wear on cap to signal having been handled." This type, struck 1866-70 at Rome, is not listed as rare but seldom turns up. The obverse legend was updated mid-year on the anniversary of the reign of the pope. The coinage was reformed to use centesimi and lire in 1866 but the Papal States were annexed by Italy in 1870 and the series ended.
Recorded mintage: 54,000 (year XXIII) plus 76,000 (year XXIV).
Specification: 6.45 g, 0.900 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-280; KM-1382.4; Gig-271; Mont-351, Berman-3334.
- Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
- 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.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Francesco Muntoni, Le Monete del Papi e Degli Stati Pontifici, 4 vols. Rome: P & P Santamaria, 1973.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, The January 2017 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Richard Stuart Collection, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2016.
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