Italian 500 Lire 1951
Italy
1951–1954
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Market Price Range
Based on 1 eBay listings · Prices vary by grade and condition
Estimated Melt Value
$22.89
Based on Silver spot price ($79.11/oz) · 90.0% purity · 10g
Updated 12:48 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Italy |
| Years Minted | 1951–1954 |
| Composition | 835/1000 silver |
| Weight | 10 g |
| Diameter | 29 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Reeded |
Design
Obverse
Features the head of a woman representing the Italian Republic.
Reverse
Displays the denomination '500 Lire', the year, and the value surrounded by a wreath.
History & Notable Facts
The 1951 500 Lire coin was struck in .835 fine silver, a deliberate choice to evoke Italy's pre-war currency traditions during the fledgling Republic's economic scramble.
That silver content made it heavier than most contemporary coins, weighing in at 13 grams for a denomination that later switched to base metals. The obverse features a profile of a woman wearing a Phrygian cap, symbolizing liberty—a design by Pietro Giampaoli that some say looks more like a tired allegory than a bold statement.
We don't know the exact mintage figures; records from that era are spotty, possibly lost in bureaucratic reshuffles. What we do have is evidence it circulated widely before being pulled for wear.
The edge inscription, "REPVBBLICA ITALIANA," was a first for the series, reminding users of the new regime with every flip.
And if you think that cap resembles a chef's hat, you're not alone.
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AI Analysis & Price Prediction
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