Italy - 2 lire 1887 R - Umberto I

Italy · 1887 · 2 lires

Circulating coinUncommon

€14.68estimate

7,500,000coins minted

€12.40silver value · 8.35 g fine at today’s price

N7565 KM23

RZReference number RZRZ-NNBB8

Circulating coin

Series of 2 lire of Umberto I (1881-1899)

The coin's story

This 2 lire coin in 835 thousandths silver belongs to the series struck from 1881 to 1899 in the name of Umberto I, King of Italy. Born in 1844, he succeeded his father Victor Emmanuel II in 1878 and would be assassinated in Monza on 29 July 1900 by the anarchist Gaetano Bresci. Both sides were engraved by Filippo Speranza. The reverse shows the shield of Savoy under the royal crown and a radiant star, within a wreath of foliage. The 1887 date was struck at the Rome Mint in 7,500,000 pieces. The edge repeats FERT, the motto of the House of Savoy.

ObverseThe Portrait of the King

UMBERTO IRE D'ITALIA 1887SPERANZA

Design: Profile of King Umberto I facing right.
Legend: UMBERTO I RE D'ITALIA (Umberto I, King of Italy).
Signature: SPERANZA.
Date: 1887.

FSEngraved by Filippo Speranza

ReverseThe Arms of Savoy

L 2R

Design: The shield of Savoy under the royal crown and a radiant star, within a wreath of foliage.
Denomination: L 2 (2 lire).
Marks: R, Rome Mint.

FSEngraved by Filippo Speranza

Specifications

Denomination2 lires
Year1887
Mintage7,500,000
MintMonnaie de Rome (R)
MaterialSilver 0.835
ShapeRound
Diameter27 mm
Thickness2 mm
Weight10 g
EdgeThe edge is plain.**Inscription: ❃ FERT ❃ ∞ ❃ FERT ❃ ∞ ❃ FERT ❃ ∞ (motto of the House of Savoy), incuse
ScriptsLatin