Sardinia 1822(t) L 5 lire
This specimen was lot 42457 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $2,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Sardinia. 5 Lire, 1822-L. Turin Mint; mm: Eagle. Carlo Felice. PCGS MS-63. A SCARCE and rather early issue from just the second year in the reign of Carlo Felice, this Choice crown dazzles with a soft gray tone and hints of golden-amber nearer the peripheries. Undoubtedly one of the finest of the date that one will ever encounter, and one that should be highly appreciated as such. From the Richard Margolis Collection." The Duchy of Savoy was an Italian state wedged between France and Milan and was often the victim of invasions from both directions. In 1720, the duke acquired the island of Sardinia and promoted himself to king of Sardinia. In 1799, king Carlo Emanuele IV was evicted by Napoleon and the region converted to the Ligurian Republic then annexed to France. Sardinia did not recover her independence until 1815. The king was rewarded by Metternich with the republic of Genoa, which he added to his territory and opened a branch mint there in addition to his existing mint at Turin. The Turin mint used an eagle's head (shown here) as a mintmark while coins struck at Genoa sported an anchor. This type was struck 1821-31.
Recorded mintage: 36,972, a rare date of a scarce type.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, 37 mm diameter, lettered edge.
Catalog reference: Dav-135; KM-166.1.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Gigante, Fabio, Gigante 2016: Catalogo Nazionale delle Monete Italiano Dal '700 All'Euro, 24a ed. Varese, Italy, 2015.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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, August 2024 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Emilio M. Ortiz Collection, The Richard Margolis Collection and The Rutherford Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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