Papal Tallero

The Papal Tallero's most intriguing feature is that it was frequently struck on planchets recycled from melted Spanish reales, a practical nod to the era's silver shortages in the Papal States.

This silver coin, issued between 1700 and 1870, bore the portrait of the reigning pope on one side and often a coat of arms or religious symbols on the other. Weights varied, typically around 25 to 30 grams, depending on the mint and year. Some issues from Rome or Bologna show die variations that hint at rushed production.

Not every Tallero is a rarity; common ones from the mid-18th century turn up in collections, while later ones under Pius IX can be harder to find in high grades. Mintage figures are spotty; records for many years were never kept or were destroyed in various upheavals.

Counterfeits exist, as they do with any popular coin, but spotting them requires examining the edge lettering for inconsistencies. The designs evolved with each pope, making them a timeline of sorts for Vatican history.

One dry note: These coins have outlasted more than a few popes' reforms.