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Currency of the Principality of Seborga

Started by NewHikaru089, January 06, 2024, 08:52:19 AM

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NewHikaru089

This is a numismatic thread on the Principality of Seborga and its currency, the luigino, with images from Numista and Wikipedia, and abridged text from Wikipedia.

(Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

The Principality of Seborga (Italian: Principato di Seborga) is an unrecognized micronation that claims a 5.4 square mile (3,500-acre; 14 square kilometer) area located in the Italian Province of Imperia in Liguria, near the French border, and about 20 miles (35 kilometers) from Monaco. The principality is coextensive with the town of Seborga; assertions of sovereignty were instigated in 1963 by a local campaigner based on unproven claims about territorial settlements made by the Congress of Vienna after the Napoleonic Wars.

The claim of sovereignty for Seborga began in 1963 by a Seborgan former flower grower named Giorgio Carbone. Carbone claimed to have found documents from the Vatican archives which, according to him, indicated that Seborga had never been a possession of the House of Savoy and was therefore not included in the Kingdom of Italy when it was formed in 1861 during Italian unification. Carbone claimed that Seborga had existed as a sovereign state of Italy since 954 AD, and that from 1079 it was a principality of the Holy Roman Empire. Sovereignty claims assert that Seborga was overlooked by the Congress of Vienna in its redistribution of European territories after the Napoleonic Wars.

Carbone promoted the idea of Seborgan independence as a principality, and in 1963 the town's inhabitants elected him as their punitive head of state. Carbone assumed the style and title His Tremendousness (Sua Tremendità) Giorgio I, Prince of Seborga. He formed a "cabinet" of ministers; minted a local currency, the luigino; introduced a Seborgan flag, a white cross on a blue background; and established a Latin motto Sub Umbra Sede (Sit in the shade). Carbone's campaign has not been taken seriously and is widely viewed as a ruse to attract tourists to the town, although his supporters in the town claim that their small state was recognized by Burkina Faso.

Giorgio Carbone retained his ceremonial position until his death on November 25, 2009. The position of the Seborgan "monarch" is not hereditary, and since Carbone's death, elections have been held in Seborga every seven years among the town's 200 registered voters. Carbone was succeeded by businessman Marcello Menegatto, who was elected on April 25, 2010 and was crowned on May 22, 2010 as His Serene Highness (Sua Altezza Serenissima) Prince Marcello I. Menegatto was re-elected as Prince on April 23, 2017, after an unsuccessful challenge to the position by Mark Dezzani, a British-born radio DJ who had lived in Seborga for nearly 40 years.

On April 12, 2019, Menegatto abdicated from his position, and he was succeeded by his ex-wife, Nina Menegatto, who was elected by the town as Her Serene Highness Princess Nina on November 10, 2019.

NewHikaru089

#1
Flag of the Principality of Seborga

Coat of arms of the Principality of Seborga

The "national anthem" of the Principality of Seborga

NewHikaru089

#2
Coins in Seborga under Giorgio I were issued in 1995 and 1996 in denominations of 5, 10 and 15 centisimi, 1/2, 1, 2 and 7 1/2 luigini. All of the coins featured a bust of the prince on the obverse and on the reverse are elements associated with the principality.

NewHikaru089

(X#1) (Numista number N#17894) (Images courtesy of Numista, image copyright of www.cgb.fr)
The 5 centisimi coin featured a bust of Giorgio I on the obverse and an image of a sword on a rock on the reverse.

NewHikaru089

(X#7) (Numista number N#24580) (Images courtesy of Numista, image copyright of www.cgb.fr)
The 10 centisimi coin featured a bust of Saint Bernard on the obverse and the arms of the Order of Saint Bernard on the reverse.

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(X#2) (Numista number N#19600) (Images courtesy of Numista)
The 15 centisimi coin, struck in stainless steel, featured a bust of Giorgio I on the obverse and the arms of the House of the Knights of Saint Bernard on the reverse.

NewHikaru089

#6
(X#9) (Numista number N#106179) (Images courtesy of Numista, image copyright of www.cgb.fr)
The 15 centisimi coin, similar to the first issue, was struck in cupronickel, and featured the same design elements as the first issue.

NewHikaru089

(X#3) (Numista number N#23596) (Images courtesy of Numista, image copyright of https://www.principatodiseborga.com/fr/les-luigini)
The 1/2 Luigino coin featured a bust of Giorgio I on the obverse and the Piazza San Martino on the reverse.

NewHikaru089

(Numista number N#32642) (Images courtesy of Numista, image copyright of www.cgb.fr)
The 1 Luigino coin featured a bust of Giorgio I on the obverse and the Coat of arms of the Principality of Seborga on the reverse.

NewHikaru089

(X#4) (Numista number N#23595) (Images courtesy of Numista, image copyright of www.cgb.fr)
The 1 Luigino coin, similar to the nickel-brass version, was issued in a bronze composition.

NewHikaru089

(X#10) (Numista number N#106180) (Images courtesy of Numista)
The 1 Luigino coin, similar to previous issues, was minted in 1996.

NewHikaru089

(X#12) (Numista number N#90696) (Images courtesy of Numista, image copyright of www.cgb.fr)
The 2 Luigini coin featured a portrait of Giorgio I on the obverse, the crowned arms of Seborga on the reverse and text referencing the principality's proclamation of independence on August 20, 1996.

NewHikaru089

(X#5) (Numista number N#39586) (Images courtesy of Numista, image copyright of www.cgb.fr)
The 7 1/2 Luigini coin featured a bust of Giorgio I on the obverse and the reverse side featured design elements from both the centisimi and luigino coins.

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Giorgio I retained his position as Prince of Seborga until his death on November 25, 2009. He was succeeded by businessman Marcello Menegatto, who was elected on April 25, 2010 and was crowned on May 22, 2010 as His Serene Highness (Sua Altezza Serenissima) Prince Marcello I. After he assumed his position as Prince of Seborga, a new series of coins were introduced under Marcello I in denominations of 1, 2 and 2 1/2 luigini.

NewHikaru089

(Numista number N#75589) (Images courtesy of Numista)
The 1 Luigino coin featured a portrait of Marcello I on the obverse and the Coat of arms of the Principality of Seborga on the reverse.