Sardinia 1853(t) B 10 lire
This specimen was lot 2781 in Sincona sale 80 (Zurich, October 2022), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY | House of Savoy / Sardinia, Vittorio Emanuele II. 1849-1861. 10 Lire 1853, Torino. Very rare. Only 4,141 pieces struck. Very fine. Minor edge flaws." The Duchy of Savoy was an Italian state wedged between France and Milan and was often the victim of invasions from both directions. In 1720, the duke acquired the island of Sardinia and promoted himself to king of Sardinia. In 1799, king Carlo Emanuele IV was evicted by Napoleon and the region converted to the Ligurian Republic then annexed to France. Sardinia did not recover her independence until 1815. The king was rewarded by Metternich with the republic of Genoa, which he added to his territory and opened a branch mint there in addition to his existing mint at Turin. This type was struck at Genoa 1850 only and Turin 1850-60 in very small numbers. Some dates are so rare as to be unpriced in the SCWC.
Recorded mintage: 4,141.
Specification: 3.22 g, .900 fine gold, this specimen 3.18 g.
Catalog reference: KM 145.1, Mont. 32 (R4), Pag. 363, Fr-1149.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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.
- [1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 80, World Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, World Banknotes, Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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