Savoy 1717 2 lire
This specimen was lot 1970 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €1,200 (about US$1,671 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, SAVOIE, Victor Amédée II (1677-1730), AR 2 lire (40 soldi), 1717, Turin. Au titre de roi de Sicile. D/ B. cuir. à d. R/ Écu couronné. Rare. Le portrait légèrement retouché. Victor Amédée II fut roi de Sicile de 1713 à 1720, comme l'indique la titulature de cette monnaie. En 1720, la Sicile fut échangée contre la Sardaigne, dont il devint le premier roi de la maison de Savoie. Très Beau. (Italy, duchy of Savoy, Victor Amadeus II, 1677-1730, silver two lire or forty soldi of 1717, Turin mint, with the title of king of Sicily. Obverse: armored bust right; reverse: crowned arms. Rare, tooling on portrait, Very Fine. Victor Amadeus II was king of Sicily from 1713 to 1720, as indicated on this coin. In 1720, Sicily was exchanged for Sardinia, of which he was the first king of the house of Savoy.)"
This rare one year type accompanied a half lira, one lira and three lire. The penniless duke could not afford an extensive coinage.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 12 g, 0.917 fine silver, 32 mm diameter, decorated edge; this specimen 12,09 g.
Catalog reference: KM 366, Sim. 46/1.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 164: Monnaies du duché de Brabant et du royaume de Belgique, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
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