Italy 500 Lire - 1961 R

Italy · 1961 · 500 lires

Commemorative coinCommon

€9.70estimate

27,120,000coins minted

€13.64silver value · 9.19 g fine at today’s price

N7345 KM99 SCHöN98 GIGANTE41 MONTENEGRO01-03

RZReference number RZRZ-FFLL8

Commemorative coin

Centenary of Italian unification (1861-1961)

The coin's story

This 500 lire coin in 835 thousandths silver celebrates the centenary of Italian unification, from 1861 to 1961. In 1861 the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed, with Victor Emmanuel II as king, the Republic, born of the 1946 referendum, celebrated its centenary. The obverse shows a seated woman, an allegory of Italy, and the reverse a quadriga, which collectors nickname the “quadriga triste” (sad quadriga). Both sides are the work of Guido Veroi. The coin was struck at the Rome Mint in 27,120,000 pieces, in standard quality only. The edge bears in relief 1° CENTENARIO VNITA D'ITALIA *1861-1961* (1st centenary of the unity of Italy), the coin was demonetised on 28 February 2002.

ObverseItalia

REPVBBLICA ITALIANAVEROI

Design: A seated woman, an allegory of Italy.
Legend: REPVBBLICA*ITALIANA (Italian Republic).
Signature: VEROI.

GVEngraved by Guido Veroi

ReverseThe Quadriga

18611961L.500R

Design: A quadriga, an ancient chariot drawn by four horses.
Date: 1861 1961.
Denomination: L.500 (500 lire).
Marks: R, Rome Mint.

GVEngraved by Guido Veroi

Specifications

Denomination500 lires
Year1961
Mintage27,120,000
MintMonnaie de Rome (R)
MaterialSilver 0.835
ShapeRound
Diameter29.3 mm
Thickness2 mm
Weight11 g
EdgeThe edge is plain.**Inscription: 1° CENTENARIO VNITA D'ITALIA *1861-1961* (1st centenary of the unity of Italy), raised
ScriptsLatin