Italy - 50 centesimi 1863- M BN shield

The coin's story

This 50 centesimi coin in 835 thousandths silver, dated 1863, bears on the reverse the arms of the House of Savoy within a wreath of foliage. Victor Emmanuel II, King of Sardinia who became the first King of Italy in 1861, reigned until his death in 1878. The Pepoli law of 24 August 1862 created the Italian lira, the single currency of the new kingdom, at par with the French franc, in 1865, Italy joined the Latin Monetary Union with France, Belgium and Switzerland. The King's portrait was engraved by Giuseppe Ferraris, whose name appears below the neck. The legend REGNO D'ITALIA (Kingdom of Italy) surrounds the arms, with the value C. 50 between the letters M and BN of the Milan Mint. The 1863 date was struck there in 4,706,125 pieces.