20 Italian lire | Marengo

 

The Italian 20 lira was minted between 1861 and 1927 and at the time, along with the 20 FF, 20 CHF and 20 BEF, belonged to the proverbial "euro-for-the-euro club. The coin takes its name from the northern Italian village of Marengo, and the Battle of Marengo, where Napoleon Bonaparte defeated the Austrian army in 1800, causing the Austrians to withdraw from northern Italy and eventually cede the area to France.

 

For that reason, the then Subalpine Republic (annexed by France and renamed the French sister republic), in present-day Piedmont, had gold coins minted starting in 1801 with the same specifications as French coins. The coins were called Marenghi to commemorate the liberation from the Austrians and bore the portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte on the obverse. The original Marenghi remained in circulation until 1815, when Napoleon Bonaparte was sent into exile to St. Helena after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.

 

In 1861, as a late offshoot of the Congress of Vienna, the Kingdom of Italy was established. Before that, the kingdom consisted of several independent states (such as Milan, Parma, Pisa, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, Venice,...) each with their own currencies. However, the lira was already in use in many of these states, including Sardinia which was under the rule of the House of Savoy. It was therefore no surprise that the brand-new kingdom - led by King Vittorio Emanuele II of the House of Savoy - chose to adopt the lira as its currency.

 

The nickname "Marengo" was also retained. The gold 20 Italian lira was eventually minted under the reigns of the three first Italian kings, Vittorio Emanuele II, Umberto I and Vittorio Emanuele III, respectively.

 

The gold 20 Italian lira - Marengo has a purity of 900/1,000 (21.6 carats) and a net weight of 5.8 grams (0.1865 troy ounces). The remaining 0.65 grams consists of copper. That alloy made the coin less prone to damage and thus resistant to wear from daily circulation.

 

Vittorio Emanuele II | 1861 - 1878
The obverse of the coin shows the portrait of Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of united Italy, with his name surrounding the portrait. At the bottom of the coin you will find the year of issue of the coin.

 

On the reverse, you will see the coat of arms of the House of Savoy; one of the oldest noble dynasties in the world and former royal house of Italy. The Savoyes were originally the rulers of Savoy; later they formed the royal house of Sardinia and after the unification of Italy they occupied the Italian throne. In 1946, after a popular referendum, the monarchy was abolished and the democratic republic was introduced, marking the end of the royal house and the power of the Savoyes. The shield is at the center of an olive wreath, around which are the words "Regno d'Italia" (Kingdom of Italy). At the bottom of the coin you will find the face value of the coin 'L 20'.

 

Umberto I | 1878 - 1900
The front of the coin shows the portrait of Umberto I, the second king of Italy, with 'Umberto I Re d'Italia' (King of Italy) surrounding his portrait. At the bottom of the coin you will find the year of issue.

 

On the reverse you will see the coat of arms of the House of Savoy; one of the oldest noble dynasties in the world and former royal house of Italy. The Savoyes were originally the rulers of Savoy; later they formed the royal house of Sardinia and after the unification of Italy they occupied the Italian throne. In 1946, after a popular referendum, the monarchy was abolished and the democratic republic was introduced, marking the end of the royal house and the power of the Savoyes. The shield stands in the middle of a wreath made of an oak and an olive branch. Between the shield and the wreath you will find the face value of the coin "L 20.

 

The 20 Italian lira - Marengo and other gold coins are perfectly suitable as a purchase of physical gold. Gold coins are not taxed because they are considered monetary gold. And while all the gold coins offered by Argentor have been tested for authenticity, they are not delivered with a certificate of authenticity. That, unlike gold bars.

 

You are more than welcome in our office to sell your gold 20 Italian lira - Marengo  coin(s). You needn't make an appointment to do so.