Sardinia 1832(t) P 5 lire
This specimen was lot 981 in Jean Elsen list 269 (Brussels, July-August 2014), where it was offered for €90 (about US$123). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, SAVOIE et SARDAIGNE, Charles Albert (1831-1849), AR 5 lire, 1832 P, Turin. Beau à Très Beau (kingdom of Sardinia, Charles Albert (1831-49), silver five lire of 1832, Turin mint. Fine to 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.
Recorded mintage: 95,336 (a slightly better date).
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, .723 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: M., 106; G., 56, Dav-136, KM 130.1 (formerly KM C113.2).
- 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., Liste 269: Juillet-Septembre 2014, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2014.
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