In this article we talk about the italian 10 Lire coins. We will talk about them analyzing in chronological order the various minting of the coins of 10 Lire, the differences and the value of each coin.
There will also be time for some curiosities and we will discover together what the 10 rarest lire coins are worth.
On this page you will find the answers to all your questions about the 10 lire coins. Let’s start with the 10 lire coin of Vittorio Emanuele II.
10 Lire Coins, 1861-1865 (Vittorio Emanuele II)
From the title we can see that we are talking about a coin minted during the reign of King Vittorio Emanuele II. The mint of Turin minted this coin precisely from 1861 to 1865. The 10 lire gold coin is less common than the 20 lire coin.
In the right side is represented the profile of the King without crown looking to the left. Around the head, in a semicircle, there is the inscription VITTORIO EMANUELE II. Under the neck the signature of the sculptor Pagani and below the year of minting.
On the reverse side there is the Savoy coat of arms with the crown on top and the Annunciation Collar on the bottom. The value of the coin is engraved under the shield. On the left of the value there is the symbol of the mint of Turin (T) and on the right the monogram of the Bank of Italy (BN).
On the right and left of the coat of arms of the House of Savoy with the shield are represented the branches of laurel and oak.
Coin specifics and years of mintage
The 10 Lire coin with Vittorio Emanuele II is made of 900/1000 gold. Its diameter varies between 19.5 mm and 18.00 mm. The outline of the coin is striped and the weight of the coin is about 3.22 grams.
Here are the years in which these gold coins were minted:
- Year 1861:
Circulation 1916
Rarity R4
Mint of Turin
Diameter 18 mm - Year 1863:
Circulation 542715
Rarity C
Mint of Turin
Diameter 18.5 mm - Year 1863:
Circulation 569850
Rarity C
Mint of Turin
Diameter 19 mm - Year 1863:
Circulation –
Rarity R3
Mint of Turin
Diameter 19.5 mm - Year 1863:
Circulation –
Rarity R5
Mint of Turin - Year 1865:
Circulation 443711
Rarity R2
Mint of Turin
Diameter 18.5 mm
Curiosities about the 10 Rare Lire Coins of Vittorio Emanuele II
- A curiosity of this coin is that, not having the diameter in accordance with Italian law, was withdrawn from circulation in 1865. In fact, for the Latin Monetary Convention the diameter of the coin had to be 19 mm.
- Another peculiarity of the 10 Lira coin Vittorio Emanuele II minted in 1861 is that the head of the King is smaller than the others.
- In 1863 instead were minted coins of different diameters, up to the final diameter of 18.5 mm
Value of 10 Lire Coins with Vittorio Emanuele II
A 10 lire coin from 1863, in good condition, can have a market value starting from 150€. The coins of the following years have a higher value than starting from 300€. The 10 lire of 1863 R3 range from 300 € to 2.000 €.
- In an auction on December 16, 2011 a coin 10 Lire rare SPL of 1865 was sold at the price of 1.553€
- On 10 November 2007 a 10 Lire SPL/FDC from 1863 was auctioned for 1.955€
In the auction archives there are similar examples, in some cases we have come to much higher values, with very rare coins and exemplary conservation as the example described below:
The 10 rare lire coins of 1861 worth 18,400 €
The 1861 coins have astronomical values. They can start at 2,000 euros and reach amazing prices..
- On 23 October 2010 a 10 Lire Coins (SPL quality) from 1861 was auctioned for €18,400.
10 Lire Coins, 1910-1912 (Vittorio Emanuele III)
There have been several 10 Lire coins minted in the name of Vittorio Emanuele III with the value of 10 Lire and we describe them below.
10 Lire Coin “Aratrice”
Between 1910 and 1912 the 10 Lire Coins “Aratrice” were issued. Subsequently, in 1926 and 1927, others were coined for the numismatics.
In the straight part there is the profile of King Vittorio Emanuele III in uniform looking to the left. At the bottom left there is the symbol of the Savoys and around the head the inscription “VITTORIO EMANUELE III”.
On the reverse side of this rare coin is represented “Aratrice”, the symbol of agricultural Italy with a bundle of ears and the plough held by his right hand. At the top of the coin there is the inscription REGNO D’ITALIA and at the sides of Aratrice there is the value of the coin LIRE 10. At the feet the year of issue, the 5-pointed star and the symbol of the Mint of Rome (R). Always below are the names of the author “Egidio Boninsegna” and the engraver “Luigi Giorgi”.
Year 1910:
- Circulation 5202
- Rarity R5
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 19.5 mm
- Weight: 3.22 g
- Outline: Striped
- Material: Gold 900/1000
Year 1912:
- Circulation 6796
- Rarity R2
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 19.5 mm
- Weight: 3.22 g
- Outline: Striped
- Material: Gold 900/1000
Year 1926 (only for numismatics):
- Circulation 40
- Rarity R4
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 19.5 mm
- Weight: 3.22 g
- Outline: Striped
- Material: Gold 900/1000
Year 1927 (only for numismatics):
- Circulation 30
- Rarity R4
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 19.5 mm
- Weight: 3.22 g
- Outline: Striped
- Material: Gold 900/1000
Value of 10 Lire Coins with Vittorio Emanuele III
- A splendid example of a red gold SPL coin from 1912, 10 Lire rare coin, was auctioned on 22 April 2009 for 12,190 €.
- On April 28, 1999, one of the 30 copies coined for numismatics in 1927 was bought at auction for the sum of 37 million lire. (19.600€)
- Instead, on October 20, 2015, an FDC R4 coin minted for numismatics in 1926 was sold for €23,600, and it was not the only one to reach this value!
The 1910 coins are very rare and only a few remain.
10 Lire Coins, 1926-1934 (Biga)
In the face on the right is represented the profile of the King without a crown looking to the left, always on the left there is the inscription VITT.EM.III. and on the right is engraved with the inscription RE-D’ITALIA.
In the reverse face there is the allegorical figure of Italy facing left on a chariot. With his right hand he holds the reins of the horses below and in his left hand he holds a “littorio” bundle.
In the lower part of the coin there are the names of engraver “A. Motti” and the author “G. Romagnoli”. At the base of the coin, starting from the left, the date, the value of L.10 and the symbol of the mint of Rome R are engraved.
These coins were minted by the Mint of Rome from 1926 to 1930. Later they were issued only for numismatics from 1931 to 1934.
Year 1926:
- Circulation 1,747,500
- Rarity R
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
Year 1927:
- Circulation 44,800,720
- Rarity C
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
Year 1928:
- Circulation 6,651,780
- Rarity C
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
Year 1929:
- Circulation 6,800,000
- Rarity C
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
Year 1930:
- Circulation 3,667,500
- Rarity R
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
Year 1931:
- Circulation 50
- Rarity R3
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
Year 1932:
- Circulation 50
- Rarity R3
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
Year 1933:
- Circulation 50
- Rarity R3
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
Year 1934:
- Circulation 50
- Rarity R3
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
Value of 10 Lire coins “Biga”
- An exemplar of a FDC coin of 10 rare lire coins from 1926 with a wide edge was auctioned on November 10, 2007 for 1,150€.
- A 1928 FDC 10 lire coin with two rosettes on the edge was auctioned on 10 May 2008 for €1,955.
- A single 10 Lira coin minted only for Numismatics in 1932, with Rarity 3 in FDC was auctioned on April 13, 2013 for 4,600 €.
- One of the 50 copies coined only for Numismatics in 1934, with Rarity 3 in FDC of 10 Lire coin was auctioned on April 22, 2009 for 4,140 €
- But all the 10 lire coins (FDC R3) minted for numismatics between 1931 and 1934 have a value between 1.500/4.000 €.
If you’ve been reading these crazy amounts and you’ve been curious to sell or buy a few coins at an auction, we recommend that you sign up for free here and start to get an idea of how much you can get out of your rare coins. When you’re ready, you can also take part in auctions.
ATTENTION to the fakes coins, the are many of them, especially the coins between 1926 and 1930!
10 Lire coins of 1936-1941 (Impero)
This 10 lire coin was minted on the occasion of the celebration of the Empire of King Victor Emmanuel III in 1936.
The straight face shows the profile of King Vittorio Emanuele III looking right and around the inscription VITTORIO.EMANUELE.III.RE.E.IMPERATORE.
In the reverse face there is an allegorical representation of Italy as a female figure erected on the prow of a ship looking to the right. On her right hand she holds the “littorio” beam and with her left the victoriola, a small effigy of victory. On the bow of the ship there is a representation of a Savoy shield with the royal crown flanked by the two beams.
In the upper part there is the inscription ITALY and on the left the thousandth of minting with the date, on the right the sign of the mint of Rome R.
Along the edge there is the name of the author “G. Romagnoli” and on the basis of the value 10.
year 1936:
- Circulation 618,500
- Rarity C
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
year 1937:
- Circulation 50
- Rarity R3
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
year 1938:
- Circulation 20
- Rarity R4
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
year 1939:
- Circulation 20
- Rarity R4
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
year 1940:
- Circulation –
- Rarity R5
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
year 1940:
- Circulation 20
- Rarity R4
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
year 1941:
- Circulation 20
- Rarity R4
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Weight: 10 g
- Outline: Three FERTs between rosettes and Savoy knots
- Material: Silver 835
Value of the 10 Lire Empire and the coin that is worth 24,000,000 of lire
- The 10 Lira coin of 1937, of which only 50 exist, can exceed 4,000€. This was the case for an FDC specimen auctioned on 22 April 2009 for €4,025.
- Instead on April 13, 2013 a 10 Lira 1938 coin in FDC was sold at the auction by a numismatist for the modest amount of 9.200€
- A 10 Lire R4 FDC from 1939 came close to €13,000 on April 4, 2017, when a demanding numismatist took home one of the 20 existing examples.
- Also a very rare R5 FDC 10 Lire of 1940 was auctioned in 1999 for 24.380.000 Lire.
- We also report the 11.092€ spent on a 1941 FDC R4 on May 13, 2014
10 Lire coins of the Italian Republic
The very first 10 Lire coin of the Italian Republic was issued in 1946. The first was the 10 Lire Olivo, until the year 1950. Then from 1951 the 10 Lire Spiga circulated until 1999 and then until the entry of the Euro.
10 lire coin 1946-1950 (Olivo)
The front face houses Pegaso, the beautiful winged horse that is placed above the inscription REPVBBLICA ITALIANA on two lines. Along the border are the names of author and engraver “G. Romagnoli” and “P. Gianpaoli”.
The reverse face represents an olive branch with three olives and leaves separating the L. and 10 of the value in Lire. In the lower left part there is the symbol of the Mint of Rome R and below along the edge the year of production of the coin.
Along the edge is the inscription REPVBBLICA ITALIANA
year 1946:
- Circulation 101,000
- Rarity R2
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 29.5 mm
- Weight: 3g
- Outline: REPVBBLICA ITALIANA
- Material: Italma
year 1947:
- Circulation 12,000
- Rarity R3
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 29.5 mm
- Weight: 3g
- Outline: REPVBBLICA ITALIANA
- Material: Italma
year 1948:
- Circulation 14.400.000
- Rarity C
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 29.5 mm
- Weight: 3g
- Outline: REPVBBLICA ITALIANA
- Material: Italma
year 1949:
- Circulation 49,500,000
- DC Rarities
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 29.5 mm
- Weight: 3g
- Outline: REPVBBLICA ITALIANA
- Material: Italma
year 1950:
- Circulation 53,311,000
- Rarity C
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 29.5 mm
- Weight: 3g
- Outline: REPVBBLICA ITALIANA
- Material: Italma
Curiosities
the first proof coin minted in 1946 was marked with “PROVA”. The inscription was engraved in the frontal face at the bottom right of the Olive tree. This coin is not collectible.
Value of 10 Lire Coins “Olivo”
- At an auction on September 12, 2007 was auctioned a 10 Lira Olivo FDC R2 of 1946 for 1,438 €
- On 20 June 2004 a 10 Lira 1947 (Olivo FDC R3) was auctioned for €4,600.
The 10 Lire coins of 1946 and the 10 Lire 1947 are the rarest, in fact they are catalogued as R2 and R3. The 10 Lire coins minted later have much less market value because they are common (C/CC ). But these coins, if kept well and FDC can be worth from 15€ to 80€ depending on storage and year.
10 Lire Coins, 1951-1999 (Spiga)
In the reverse there is the drawing of two ears and the value 10 at the top right. In the lower part along the border the name of the author “G. Romagnoli”
year 1951/1999:
- Total circulation1,975,410,000
- C/CC Rarities
- Mint of Rome
- Diameter: 23.3 mm
- Weight: 1.7g
- Outline: smooth
- Material: Italma
ATTENTION to the counterfeit coins of 1952, several circulate. They can be recognized by the metal used, which is softer, and by the turned axes.
Value of 10 Lire Coins “Spiga” (10 lire 1955, 10 lire 1954, 10 lire 1953 etc..)
The values shown below are indicative and refer to FDC coins perfectly kept, not worn and without scratches:
- 10 lire 1951 value > €25
- 1952 > €20
- value 10 lire 1953 > €25
- 10 lire 1954 > €70/90
- 10 lire 1955 > €15/20
- 1956 > €25
- 1965 > €30
- 1966/1983/1984> €5
- il resto degli anni fino al 1999 €1 o €2
Curiosities
The 10 lire coin of 1955, 10 lire 1954 and 10 lire 1953 are one of the most classic coins and commonly diffused among the people. It is not uncommon to find a 10 lire coin 1955 or the previous two years in some old piggy bank or purse.
Although the 10 Lira coin with ears of corn was minted from 1954 to 1999, from the beginning of the 1980s these coins began to disappear from circulation and were no longer used.
Many collectors put them safely in their personal collections.
Defects of Coinage
In 1991 there was a minting error: the reverse side of the coin was engraved upside down due to a production error. These particular coins can be worth between 50€ and 60€.
In 1998 were issued coins with the longest ears, sought after … but unfortunately quite common. The value 10 lire in question can vary between 3 € and 9 € if FDC.
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