Sardinia 1827(t) L 2 lire
This specimen was lot 1941 in Jean Elsen sale 155 (Brussels, June 2023), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, SAVOIE et SARDAIGNE, Charles Félix (1821-1831), AR 2 lire, 1827, Turin. Beau à Très Beau. (kingdom of Sardinia, Charles Felix, 1821-31, silver two lire of 1827, Turin mint. Fine - 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. This type was struck 1825-31 in some numbers but is today very scarce, especially in nice condition.
Recorded mintage: 170,347.
Specification: 10 g, 0.900 fine silver, 27 mm diameter, lettered edge.
Catalog reference: KM 122.1, M. 79; G. 62.
- 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]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 155, Collection Marc Bar et Distinctions de Jean-Baptiste Nothomb, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2023.
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