Sardinia 1828(g) P 5 lire
This specimen was lot 1892 in Sincona sale 11 (Zürich, May 2013), where it sold for 5,200 CHF (about US$6,438 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIEN Savoyen / Sardinien Carlo Felice, 1821-1831. 5 Lire 1828, Genua. Sehr seltene Erhaltung. Fast FDC. (kingdom of Sardinia, Charles Felix, 1821-31, five lire of 1828, Genoa mint. Rare in this grade, about uncirculated.)"
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.
Recorded mintage: 1,149,352.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, this specimen 24.94 g.
Catalog reference: Dav-135; KM 116.2 (formerly C105.2); Pagani-74.
- 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.
- [2]Numismatic Coins, Medals, Banknotes & Books: Auction 11, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2013.
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