Italy's final pre-euro coinage

[<k>]

NEW COIN SERIES FOR THE 1950's

From Wikipedia:

In 1951, the government decided to replace all the circulating coins and bills/banknotes with new smaller-sized aluminium 1, 2, 5 and 10 lire (although the 2-lira coin was not minted in 1951 or 1952) and in 1954–1955, Acmonital (stainless-steel) 50- and 100-lira coins were introduced, followed by aluminium-bronze 20-lira in 1957 and silver 500-lira in 1958.

[<k>]

Italy, 1 lira, 1970.

The 1 lira coin featured scales on the obverse.

A cornucopia, or horn of plenty, appeared on the reverse.

This was fitting for a fertile Mediterranean country.

[<k>]

Italy, 2 lire, 1985.

The 2 lire coin showed a bee on the obverse and an olive branch on the reverse.

[<k>]

Italy, 5 lire, 1952.

The 5 lire coin featured a rudder on the obverse and a dolphin on the reverse.

[<k>]

Italy, 10 lire, 1969.

The 10 lire coin featured a plough on the obverse and two ears of barley on the reverse.

[<k>]

Italy, 20 lire, 1968.

The 20 lire coin featured the head of Ceres on the obverse and oak leaves on the reverse.

[<k>]

Italy, 50 lire, 1958.

The 50 lire coin featured the head of the Republic on the obverse - an allegorical Italia.

[<k>]

Italy, 50 lire, 1958.

The reverse design featured a mythological Vulcan working at his anvil.

[<k>]

Italy, 100 lire, 1970.

The 100 lire coin featured a different version of Italia on the obverse.

The goddess Minerva appeared on the reverse, next to an olive tree sapling.

[<k>]

Italy, 500 lire, 1958.

The silver 500-lira was introduced in 1958.

From Wikipedia:

"Increases in the silver bullion price led to the 500-lira coins being produced only in small numbers for collectors after 1967."

I cannot see a year on this coin.

See also:  Multiple shields / coats of arms.

[<k>]

Italy, 200 lire, 1979.

In 1977 an aluminium-bronze 200 lira coin was introduced.

It showed the head of Italia, with a gearwheel on the reverse.

[<k>]

Italy, 500 lire, 1984.

In 1982 the bimetallic 500 lire coin was released.

Bimetallic coins were still a rarity in those days.

This was the first one to feature the value in braille.


The obverse featured another version of Italia.

The reverse showed the Quirinal Palace.

It is a historic building in Rome.

It an official residences of Italy's president.

[<k>]

Italy, 50 lire, 1996.

From 1990 the 50 lire was reduced in size to 17 mm.

It was minted in stainless steel.

The coin was last produced in 1995.


A newly designed 50 lire coin was issued from 1996.

It was made of copper-nickel.

The obverse showed Italia.

The reverse featured a gearwheel, a cornucopia, grapes and vine leaves.

[<k>]

Italy, 100 lire, 1993.

A smaller and redesigned copper-nickel 100 lire coin was introduced in 1993.

The obverse featured Italia.

The reverse showed an albatross, a dolphin, an olive branch and a wheat stalk.

[<k>]

Italy, 100 lire, 1997.

In 1997 a bimetallic 1000 lire coin was introduced.

Italia graced the obverse, whilst the reverse showed a map of Europe.