Vatican City 1938 10 centesimi
This specimen was lot 54184 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $5,040. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Papal (Vatican City). 10 Centesimi, 1938 Year XVII. Rome Mint. Pius XI. PCGS MS-65 Brown. A VERY RARE date of unknown mintage, this most appealing Gem Mint State example delivers a glowing brilliance that is supplemented by handsome brown color with touches of red color throughout. The details are clear, with limited signs of actual handling and much beauty throughout. A piece that will assuredly capture many bids from collectors, as this is the sole finest specimen certified by PCGS." This type was issued 1929-38 for Pius XI, the first pope to rule over the newly independent Vatican City. The type is common but this date is rare. In 1939, the denomination was converted to aluminum bronze.
Recorded mintage: unknown but rare.
Specification: bronze.
Catalog reference: Ber-3360, KM-2.
- Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th 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.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2024 NYINC Auction, featuring the Emilio M Ortiz Collection and a Symphony of Russian Rarities, the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
Link to: