ddiaz841
I've discovered that the 1866 Anno XX Vatican 1 Lira coin has three known versions, all believed to be sample strikes not intended for general circulation. Each version carries an R4 rarity rating, indicating extreme scarcity, with estimates suggesting fewer than 500 specimens of each type exist.
What makes these coins even more fascinating is their historical significance. Although the Latin Monetary Union (LMU) wasn't officially established until August of 1866, these coins—struck during the 20th year of Pope Pius IX’s reign—were clearly minted to conform to LMU standards. This strongly suggests they were experimental or transitional issues, likely created to prepare the Papal States for entry into the LMU system.
Due to their rarity, low mintage, and important role in monetary history, these coins are now valued at nearly $7,000 each. If you happen to come across one for sale, as I recently did, it’s well worth acquiring. They carry tremendous numismatic value and represent a unique intersection of papal coinage and 19th-century European monetary reform.
Just an update on my research. I was able to find this in the Italian book Gigante:
"Decimal Coinage in the Papal State
Decimal coinage was introduced in the Papal State with Edict No. 10 of June 18, 1866, by Pope Pius IX. This law introduced the new monetary system within the kingdom.
Before that date, the first experiments and the first printing proofs were carried out (specifically for the 20 Lire, the 2 Lire, and the 1 Lira in silver), all bearing the year 1866 and the 20th year of the pontificate.
After the ratification of the edict, in addition to the previous values, other coins also bearing the year 1866 but the 21st year of the pontificate were struck — because after June 16, the anniversary of the Pope's ascension, they had entered the 21st year of his reign.
The Rome Mint was immediately able to adjust the dies for the 20 Lire, 2 Lire, and 1 Lira coins with the correct year. But for various reasons, a remelting of the coins already minted with the incorrect date was not carried out (consider in particular the 20 Lire coins, of which a substantial quantity had already been struck).
It can be assumed that the old coins were used for several weeks while awaiting the new dies.
It is precisely because the erroneous coins were not recalled that the edict decreed that all decimal coins would retain legal status, regardless of the year of the pontificate shown.
Therefore, even though they were sanctioned by law, the 1866 XX coins are to be considered specimen coins, especially given the very small number of 2 Lire and 1 Lira pieces that were struck and the fact that they were never circulated."
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