View source for Lombardy 1848-M 20 lire

[[Image:Italy 1848M 20 lire obv Eliasberg 566.jpg|300px|thumb|Eliasberg lot 566]]
[[Image:Italy 1848M 20 lire rev Eliasberg 566.jpg|300px|thumb]]

This specimen was lot 566 in the Eliasberg sale, where it sold for $2,300. The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, "1848-M 20 lire. Milan mint. AU-58 (NGC). Italia standing, legends around/denomination in wreath, legends around, date below. Deep orange gold. An elusive one year type, only 4,593 struck, and considerably rarer than the larger 40 lire. From B. Max Mehl's sale of the Belden Roach Collection, February 1944, Lot 1441."  The type was issued by the provisional government of [[Italy, Lombardy & Venetia|Lombardy]] during the European wide revolts of 1848 which, among other events, nearly toppled the Hapsburgs in Vienna. The Milanese had to wait until 1859 for liberation from Austrian rule. Besides the twenty lire shown here, the provisionals issued silver five lire ([[Lombardy 1848-M 5 lire|Dav-206]]) and gold forty lire pieces ([[Lombardy 1848-M 40 lire|Fr-474]]).

''Recorded mintage:'' 4,593.

''Specification:'' 6.45 g, 0.900 fine gold, .186 troy oz AGW; this specimen 6.45 grams, 21.30 mm diameter.

''Catalog reference:'' KM C23, Fr-475, Pagani-212.

''[[Bibliography|Source:]]''
* <sup>[1]</sup>Kraljevich, John, John Pack, Elizabeth O. Piper and Frank Van Valen, ''The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., Collection of World Gold Coins and Medals,'' Wolfboro, NH: American Numismatic Rarities, 2005.
* 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.
* 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. 

''Link to:''
* [[Lombardy 1848-M lira]]
* [[Lombardy 1848-M 5 lire]]
* [[Venice 1848 20 lire]]
* [[Lombardy 1848-M 40 lire]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 1848]]
* other specimens in [[The Eliasberg Collection]]
* return to coins of [[Italy, Lombardy & Venetia|Lombardy-Venetia]]

[[Category:Selections from the Eliasberg Collection]]