Vatican City 2001-R 50000 lire Fr-390

Sincona sale 80, lot 2920

This specimen was lot 2920 in Sincona sale 80 (Zurich, October 2022), where it sold for 425 CHF (about US$509 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted, "ITALY | Vatican - Church State, Johannes Paul II. 1978-2005. 50000 Lire 2001 / Anno XXIII R, Roma. Auf die Symbolik in der religiösen Kunst [On symbolism in religious art]. Only 6,000 pieces struck. Choice Proof. In original box with certificate." THis is the last year the Vatican had coins struck in lire. This gold 50,000 lire accompanied a larger 100,000 lire (KM 391) with the same design. In 2002, Italy (and the Vatican) adopted the euro.

Recorded mintage: 6,000 proofs.

Specification: 7.50 g, 0.917 fine gold. This specimen is 7.50 g.

Catalog reference: KM 390. Fr-437.

Source:

• 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.
• 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.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 2001-Date, 13th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2018.
• ^[1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 80, World Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, World Banknotes, Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2022.

Links to:

• 1998 100,000 lire
• 2001-R 100,000 lire, On symbolism in religious art
• Coins and currency dated 2001