Italian 50 Lire
Italy
1861–1946
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Estimated Melt Value
$21.25
Based on Silver spot price ($79.17/oz) · 83.5% purity · 10g
Updated 6:41 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Italy |
| Years Minted | 1861–1946 |
| Composition | 0.835 silver |
| Weight | 10 g |
| Diameter | 29 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Reeded |
Design
Obverse
Features the portrait of the reigning Italian king, such as Vittorio Emanuele II or III.
Reverse
Depicts the Italian coat of arms, a wreath, and the denomination.
History & Notable Facts
The Italian 50 Lire coin, introduced shortly after Italy's unification, was often struck using silver from recycled sources, including melted foreign coins, to stabilize the new kingdom's economy.
This made sense in 1861, when Italy was cobbling together a currency system from the chaos of disparate states. The coin's design evolved over the decades, starting with portraits of Vittorio Emanuele II and later shifting to his successors, always on a silver planchet that reflected the era's fluctuating metal standards. Mintage figures vary by year, with some records incomplete due to wartime disruptions.
Early issues were minted in places like Milan and Rome, but exact production details for certain years remain murky—blame it on the archives' spotty survival.
As for condition, most specimens show wear from daily use; they weren't meant for collectors' cabinets.
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