Italy 1926-R 5 lire

Sincona sale 59, lot 1607

This specimen was lot 1607 in Sincona sale 59 (Zurich, October 2019), where it sold for 80 CHF (about US$97 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"ITALY | Königreich, Vittorio Emanuele III. 1900-1946. 5 Lire 1926 R, Roma. FDC. Hübsche Patina. (kingdom of Italy, Victor Emanuel III, 1900-46, five lire of 1926, Rome mint. Uncirculated, Attractively toned.)"

This type was struck for the kingdom of Italy 1926-35. The weight and fineness matches that of the old silver lira, last minted in 1917. Vittorio Emanuele III succeeded his father Umberto upon the latter's assassination in 1900, but by 1930 he was the helpless tool of the Fascists, whose symbol appears on the reverse. The issues of 1926-30 are readily available but those of 1931-35 are rare, being struck for presentation only.

Recorded mintage: 5,405,000, a better date.

Specification: 5 g, .835 fine silver, .134 troy oz ASW, 23 mm diameter, lettered edge, this specimen 5.00 g.

Catalog reference: KM 67.1, Mont-133, Pagani 719.

Source:

• 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]Richter, Jurg, Sincona Auction 59: Gold and Silver Coins and Medals; Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2019.

Link to:

• 1926 20 centesimi
• 1926 50 centesimi
• 1926 lira
• 1926 2 lire
• 1926 silver 10 lire
• 1926 gold 10 lire
• 1926 gold 20 lire
• 1926 gold 50 lire
• 1926 gold 100 lire
• 1927 5 lire
• Coins and currency dated 1926