Sardinia 1860(t) B 5 lire
This specimen was lot 2177 in Jean Elsen sale 145 (Brussels, September 2020), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, SAVOIE et SARDAIGNE, Victor Emmanuel II (1849-1861), AR 5 lire, 1860B, Turin. Rare Griffe au revers. Coups sur la tranche. Très Beau. (Italy, Savoy and Sardinia, Victor Emmanuel II, 1849-61, silver five lire of 1860, Turin mint. Rare, reverse scratch, rim nicks, Very Fine.)"
This specimen was also lot 1500 in Jean Elsen sale 146 (Brussels, November 2020), where it sold for €260 (about US$379 including buyer's fees). This is a scarce date of a scarce type. 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, struck before Victor Emanuel became king of Italy, is much scarcer than the preceding five lire of Carlo Felice (1821-31) or Carlo Alberto (1831-49).
Reported Mintage: 5,044.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, 37 mm diameter, this specimen 2,95 g.
Catalog reference: Dav-137, KM 144.1, M. 60; G. 49.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 145, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
- 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.
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