Sardinia 1827(t) L 80 lire
This specimen was lot 1890 in Sincona sale 11 (Zürich, May 2013), where it sold for 1,300 CHF (about US$1,609 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIEN Savoyen / Sardinien Carlo Felice, 1821-1831. 80 Lire 1827, Turin. Kl. Kratzer. Sehr schön-vorzüglich. (kingdom of Sardinia, Charles Felix, 1821-31, eighty lire of 1827, Turin mint. Tiny scratches, very fine to extremely 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 at Turin (shown here) and Genoa 1823-31. While not rare, it is scarce, particularly in nice condition.
Recorded mintage: 38,473.
Specification: 25.80 grams, 0.900 fine gold, .746 troy oz AGW, 33 mm diameter, this specimen 25.76 g.
Catalog reference: KM 123.1 (formerly C108.1); Pagani-30, Schl. 139. Fr-1132.
- 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.
- 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.
- [2]Numismatic Coins, Medals, Banknotes & Books: Auction 11, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2013.
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