I have had a few Italian coins for a long time, but nn the last month or so, I have been increasing my little collection. Browsing through my Krause catalogs, I can see a lot of very interesting material.

A work in progress and just for show-and-tell, here are some pics - these are all silver (.835).

This is one of my favorite designs. Awesome eagle.
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The second one is in much better condition. I guess it is an AU because of the 'bald' spots around the eagle's knee. I'm not familiar enough with this issue to know for sure. Does anyone have an MS of this issue for comparison? By the way, my Krause lists these as KM# 67.1 and 67.2 with no distinction (a typo perhaps). The 1927R does not have the 'FERT' edge lettering, so I am assuming it is the 67.2.

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This one is just exquisitely ornate. I think Tiff had one on omnicoin and it really caught my eye - KM #98. Krause lists a PL variety that I would like to see!

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Even the edge is ornate and that is where they put the date (1959).
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Here is a 1961-R 500 Lire commemorating Italian unification. Kind of a 'modern' design that I'm not crazy about, but still interesting - KM#99.
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A 1970 Centennial of Rome - looks like a coin on a coin, but I do not recognize it - KM#101.
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Here is a Dante (of inferno fame) commemorative - what a mug on that guy - KM#100.
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That's all for now, but I would like to post some more later. Anyone else have some favorites of this genre that they can post?

Oh some of those are BEAUTIES!

That is a nice eagle, and he does look better without the wear

From the way I read Krause, all of them should have FERT. The 67.1 will only have 1 star to both the left and right of the letters (*FERT*), while the 67.2 will have 2 stars on each side (**FERT**)

The 10 lire (KM#68) also follows this system, with 68.1 & 68.2.

Thanks much - and after inspecting the edge with a loop, I can see the 'fert' on the '27, although it is almost gone. Both appear to be **

(man I love this place)

In case anyone cares what "FERT" means, I will tell you....


FERT = Fortitudo Ejus Rhodum Tenuit" which roughly translates to "His firmness guarded Rhodes"

This is a reference to Amadeus the Great (1249-1323) of the House of Savoy. In 1310 he fought against the Saracens at the siege of Rhodes.

Thanks - I searched and found the same translation that you cite many times. I would think that 'firmness' would be less accurate than 'strength' (as in forte) or 'determination', 'resolve' or 'endurance' (as in fortitude). Maybe I am missing the root though.

By the way, http://www.bibliomania.com/2/3/255/1171/22...1/frameset.html
gives several meanings for the abbreviation

F.E.R.T. The letters of the Sardinian motto.
Either Fortitudo Ejus Rhodum Tenuit, in allusion to the succour rendered to
Rhodes by the house of Savoy, 1310;
Or, Fædere et Religione Tenemur, on the gold doubloon of Victor Amadeus I.;
Or, Fortitudo Ejus Rempublicam Tenet.

Nice coins. I've tried to get Fran started on collecting Italian coins and currency - what with her being Italian and all. But so far no luck.

He's shown on the normal 2 euro coin from Italy as well, still not really attractive dude....

My favorite Italian ... 1966

Here is a neat new one from Italy, issued earlier this year ... Do not have it yet but that may change this weekend.





Christian

That is a stunning KM#98
Trantor_3 also has one one on omnicoin (http://www.omnicoin.com/coins/896950.jpg)

It was the pics that you guys posted that got me searching for the coin!

My current favorite Italian...


1911-R Italy 10 Centesimi Vitorio Emanuele III, Copper, 50th Anniversary of the Kingdom. One year type. Mintage 2 million.

I couldn't resist it when I saw it.

Oh, I have GOT to get one of those

I agree, I like the boats. the eagle looks constipated sitting on a log

That's not really a log. I think it is called a Fasces . It is a a bundle of birch rods tied together with an axe attached. An ancient Roman symbol for authority, strength, prepardness - that kind of thing.

The US Winged Liberty dime has one on the reverse and was being minted at the same time.

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[erm how do you know what an eagle looks like when constipated? uhh...... n/m ]

QUOTE(Ray @ Dec 21 2005, 03:25 PM)
I agree, I like the boats. the eagle looks constipated sitting on a log






That's not really a log. I think it is called a Fasces . It is a a bundle of birch rods tied together with an axe attached. An ancient Roman symbol for authority, strength, prepardness - that kind of thing.

The US Winged Liberty dime has one on the reverse and was being minted at the same time.








[erm how do you know what an eagle looks like when constipated? uhh...... n/m ]


OK I was just guessing

and here's mine, also 1966



I'll try to redo that picture some day, it shows a strange flare on the coin that's not seen in person

I think I need myself one of those. STOP IT!

gosh, now I see those two tgether, I notice that that" flare" is on AuldFartte's coin too

And I can see it in person too now, when tilting the coin....

It's the bunny shaped darker area on the side with the ship.
On the other coin it's lighter than the suroudning area, but definitely the same shape. Something on the die surface?

I thought it was caused by my scanner....

Bunny, eh? Now you know where to ship that coin.

Christian

It looks like ghosting to me. Is the coin medal alignment or coin alignment?? Looking at the ghosting, I would bet coin alignment.

Ghosting occurs because the large obverse bust must displace a large amount of metal during the strike, which leaves a "soft spot" on the reverse. This effect is very common on the UK large bronze pennies, especially those of Edward VII & George V.

Never mind ... I'm an idiot

No you're not. I didn't know what he was talking about at first either.

I don't think so......

Yup, you're totaly right : coin alignment.



Sure makes sense, thanks for the info

Sweet...Looks like the design is also used on a silver 2L (KM#52), a silver 5L (KM#53) and a gold 50L (KM#54). Would make a nice little set.

I wouldn't mind getting the silver version.

Here are some more, nothing spectacular, but some nice coins (IMO).

An MS specimen of this first example is currently doing very well in the PCI.
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1908-R 20 centesimi KM #44

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1922-R 1 Lire KM #62

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These next two are stainless steel - relatively low-relief and a huge pain to photograph, well for me anyways.

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1963-R 50 Lire KM #95


1974 100 Lire Commemorating the birth of Marconi KM#102

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We have had discussions about coins on coins and coins on stamps - here is a coin, commemorating a stamp show

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1992 200 Lire Stamp exposition commemorative KM #151

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A nice bimetal...
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1982 500 Lire KM #111

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The next two are aluminum with very simple devices.

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1949-R 10 Lire KM #90


1950-R 5 Lire KM #89

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One from the WWII era - seems like the artistry gave way to some hard and simple design lines.

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1941-R 5 centesimo KM #73

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Finally, the very popular 'bee' coin
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1927-R 10 centesimi KM #60

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Darn, this is one area I should hoard coins of.

Picked up a few more today....

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1925 2 Lire KM# 63 (thoughtlessly cleaned, but cheaply priced)



1925-R 50 Cenesimi KM# 61.2 (reeded edge)



1996-R 100 Lire KM# 159

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This is a KM #51 10 centessimi, it's part of a 50th Anniversery of the Kingdom commemorative series that includes a 2 Lire (silver), 5 Lire (silver) and 50 Lire (gold). I have been quietly searching for one of these and finally got one. I believe I have a second one of these and a 2 Lire on the way. I would love to have the complete series. It will get pretty expensive, but this is a beautiful design.

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I so love that coin.

Me too! And those others aswell. Perhaps I'll get a few soon...

This is a great looking coin. I've really been enjoying a lot of the Euro designs. So tempting......

Don't do it Art, your country needs you.

Agreed - and I now have it. Well, the really appealing element of the design is (IMO) not the stylized globe but the reproduction of the ancient coin. Most other coins shown in this discussion are attractive because of what the designer created, but this one looks neat because of, well, that copy. On the other hand, in general I like "coins on coins" ...

This €10 coin is part of the euro/star series which in 2005, sixty years after the end of WW2, was about Peace and Freedom. So the image of Pax with the olive twig and the cornucopia is appropriate, I think. According to the description, however, that is a sestertius of emperor Vitellius. Not that I know much about him, but I don't think he has much to do with a lasting peace.

This year, by the way, Italy will (among other pieces) issue a Da Vinci Code ... ermm, coin.
http://www.numismatico.de/files/it-2006-10e-davinci_189.jpg
Lousy image, I know - this is just the draft published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale (government bulletin). But it looks promising ...

Christian

Here is another interesting parallel. This year both Italy and San Marino issue collector coins commemorating the artist Andrea Mantegna (he died 500 years ago). For more info about the piece from San Marino see this post:
http://www.coinpeople.com/index.php?showto...ndpost&p=161546

That €5 coin shows a detail from Mantegna's work "Parnaso", namely Mars and Venus:
http://www.anisn.it/scienza/evoluzione2005...es/parnassu.jpg

The Italian €10 coin issued on the same occasion uses the very same painting but a different detail - some of the dancers in the lower part:


(Again, just the draft image from the GU.)

The other side of the coin from Italy will be interesting too. It features this oculus http://www.artchive.com/artchive/m/mantegn...egna_oculus.jpg that Mantegna painted for the Ducal Palace in Mantua, and has the face value in its "empty" center. Too bad that neither the Italian coin nor the piece from San Marino can be purchased at face value ...

Christian

Upgraded my km #51 with this specimen that is in better condition...

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I am almost embarassed to show this KM #52, the silver 2 lire member of the set - *sigh* all that damage and cleaning....what a pity. This is definitely a coin that I would like in MS!

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Very nice!

Great coins. The Italian 10€ really still impresses me. I think something with Euros will have to be my next collecting venture. Maybe just the basic set from each issuing country to start. Or perhaps just a set of 2€ coins.

My favorite Italian coin is still the "flying lady" 20 cent.

A new addition to my Italy collection - 1887-M, 1 Lira [KM #24.2, .8325 silver). I don't always like this kind of "authentic" toning, but on this coin I think it adds to the eye appeal.

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Very nice.

Beautiful italian coin!!!