Papal States 1868-R 20 lire

from the Tom Fitzgerald Collection

This type, struck 1866-70 at Rome, is not listed as rare but seldom turns up. The obverse legend was updated mid-year on the anniversary of the reign of the pope. For 1868, medium and large bust varieties exist; the large bust is shown here. The coinage was reformed to use centesimi and lire in 1866 but the Papal States were annexed by Italy in 1870 and the series ended.

Recorded mintage: 38,000 for KM 1382.3 (years XXII and XXIII) plus 112,000 for KM 1382.4 (year XXIII only).

Specification: 6.45 g, 0.900 fine gold.

Catalog reference: Fr-280; KM 1382.3 (medium bust) and 1382.4 (large bust), Ber-3334.

Sources:

• Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
• 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.
• 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.

Link to:

• 1867 20 lire
• 1866 100 lire
• 1868 10 soldi
• 1868 lira
• 1868 2 lire
• Italy 1868-T BN 20 lire
• 1868 50 lire
• 1868 100 lire
• 1870 5 lire
• Coins and currency dated 1868
• return to coins of the Papal States