There is a coin that is worth up to € 40,000! It sounds crazy, but numismatic collecting also has these little rarities. Coins that, due to their unobtainability and their value, would probably be worthy of becoming part of a museum’s collection.
It is perhaps more of a dream than a concrete possibility, that of owning one of these coins. The fact remains that looking in family memories or in specialized auctions may mean finding yourself with a fortune in your hands. Let’s find out what this coin is, which in practice is worth as much as a house.
Here’s which coin is worth € 40,000
The coin we are talking about is the 5 Lire of the Kingdom of Italy minted in 1901, with a size of 37 mm in diameter and 25 grams in weight. Coined in 0.900 silver, it was produced by the Italian mint of Rome in only 114 specimens. The number of the coin’s circulation already helps to understand its high value.
As written and specialized sites testify, the 5 lire 1901 was a non-issued coin, a technical test to verify the effect of the impression of the face of the new monarch and the symbols of the House of Savoy on a coin of width that will be the one used later for the shield.
Coin with an even more mocking fate because the two specimens originally contained in the Italian Museums later disappeared in mysterious circumstances and with problematic searches by those responsible. The coin has experienced a particular history: only 114 examples were saved – according to the chronicles of the time – from a recast which took place due to political and diplomatic problems linked to the issue of that coin.
5 Lire 1901: description and value
On the first reverse of the coin there is the profile turned to the left of the monarch Vittorio Emanuele III, surrounded by his name, and with the name of the author of the coin, Speranza, engraved under his neck. The reverse is instead distinguished by the symbols of the House of Savoy, the Savoy Eagle and the knot of the House of Savoy. Then appear the words Kingdom of Italy, the nominal value of the coin, the year of minting, 1901 and finally the symbol of the mint of Rome (R).
Its value of about 40.000 € uro is attributed to the coin in a SPL state of conservation (splendid). In reality, a copy in FdC, which cannot be found, is estimated to be worth between 60 and 90 thousand euros. The coin is so rare that even an original with unreadable parts – which is generally worth little money – could bring its owner 14,000 euros.
But beware of reruns! The coin has been the object of collectors’ wishes since its minting and it is believed that in the past several personalities from the world of Italian politics have privately requested a minting dedicated to the Mint, another legend linked to the 5 Lire of 1901.
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