Sardinia 1831(t) P 5 lire
This specimen was lot 1498 in Jean Elsen sale 146 (Brussels, November 2020), where it sold for €140 (about US$204 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, SAVOIE et SARDAIGNE, Charles Albert (1831-1849), AR 5 lire, 1831P, Turin. Très rare Nettoyé. Beau. (kingdom of Sardinia, Charles Albert, 1831-49, silver five lire of 1831, Turin mint. Very rare, cleaned, 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, shown here, while coins struck at Genoa sported an anchor. Five lire were struck for Charles Albert and his predecessor, Charles Felix, in 1831.
Recorded mintage: 49,474, a rare date.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, .723 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: M. 102; G. 53, Dav-136, KM 130.1 (formerly KM C105.1).
- 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.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 146: Collection Anthony Lorrain Monnaies de Metz, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
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