Sardinia 1826(g) P 5 lire
This specimen was lot 2489 in Jean Elsen sale 160 (Brussels, November 2024), where it sold for €60 (about US$76 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, SAVOIE et SARDAIGNE, Charles Félix (1821-1831), AR 5 lire, 1826 P, Gênes. Petits coups sur la tranche. Patine foncée. Très Beau. (Italy, kingdom of Sardinia, Charles Felix, 1821-31, silver five lire of 1826, Geneva mint. Small rim nicks, nice patina, very fine.)"
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 as a mintmark while coins struck at Genoa sported an anchor (shown here).
Recorded mintage: 489,392.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, 37 mm diameter, lettered edge.
Catalog reference: KM 116.2 (formerly KM C105.2), M. 62; G. 43; Dav-135.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- 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]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 160, Collection de deniers liegeois et Collection de monnaies d'or francaises, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
Link to: