Sardinia 1836(t) P 50 lire
The first specimen was lot 24334 in Heritage sale 3020 (Long Beach, September 2012), where it sold for $4,993.75. The catalog description[1] noted, "Sardinia. Carlo Alberto gold 50 Lire 1836-P Eagle Head, AU55 NGC, quite attractive with sharp design features and flashy luster in the legends. Very scarce type and grade. This date & mint has a mintage of 385." The second specimen was lot 1904 in Sincona sale 11 (Zürich, May 2013), where it sold for 3,600 CHF (about US$4,457 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"ITALIEN Savoyen / Sardinien Carlo Alberto, 1831-1849. 50 Lire 1836, Turin. Selten, nur 385 Exemplare geprägt. Fast vorzüglich-vorzüglich. (kingdom of Sardinia, Charles Albert, 1831-49, fifty lire of 1836, Turin mint. Rare, choice extremely fine.)"
The Austrians traded Sardinia to the duke of Savoy in exchange for recognition of their claim to Milan. Savoy held the island until it was incorporated in the united kingdom of Italy in 1860. This type was struck at Genoa (anchor mintmark) and Turin (eagle mintmark) 1833 and 1836. Most dates are too rare to be priced in the SCWC.
Recorded mintage: 385.
Specification: 16.12 grams, 0.900 fine gold, .467 troy oz AGW, the second specimen 16.15 g.
Catalog reference: KM 137.1 (formerly C116.1), Pag. 165, Schl. 211, Fr-1140.
- 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.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Tucker, Warren, and Cris Bierrenbach, Heritage Signature Auction 3020: World Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2012.
- [2]Numismatic Coins, Medals & Banknotes, Auction 11, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2013.
Link to: