Sardinia 1830(g) P 80 lire
This specimen was lot 31086 in Heritage sale 3035 (Long Beach, September 2014), where it sold for $1,527.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Sardinia. Carlo Felice gold 80 Lire 1830-P Anchor AU50 NGC, Genoa mint. A lustrous example with strong detail and eye-appeal, despite evidence of surface handling." 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 and Genoa (shown here) 1823-31. While not rare, it is scarce, particularly in nice condition.
Recorded mintage: 25,942 plus 5,972 from Turin.
Specification: 25.8 g, 0.900 fine gold, .746 troy oz ASW, 33 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 123.2 (formerly KM C108.2), Fr-1133.
- 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.
- 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.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, and Warren Tucker, Heritage Signature Auction 3035, World and Ancient Coins, featuring the FoxLair Collection and the Law Collection, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
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