100 Lire – Discover the Value of Rare Italian 100 Lire Coins

The 100 Lire Minerva was minted from 1954 to 1989.

• Diameter: 27.8 mm
• Weight: 8 g
• Edge: Reeded
• Thickness: 2 mm
• Material: Acmonital
• Authors: Giuseppe Romagnoli and Pietro Gianpaoli

On the Obverse, it features a head of Italy crowned with laurel looking to the left, with the signatures of ROMAGNOLI and GIAMPAOLI INC below. The depiction draws from the iconography of coins from Syracuse in the 4th century BC.
Surrounding the coin is the inscription REBVBBLICA ITALIANA.

On the Reverse, there is a depiction of the Goddess Minerva holding a spear in her left hand, while her right hand reaches towards a laurel tree. The denomination L.100 is on the left side of the coin, the R of the Rome Mint is on the right, and the mint year is engraved at the bottom center.

Value | 100 Lire Minerva

• The 100 lire Minerva that are worth the most are definitely the 100 Lire Minerva PROOF 1954, with a value of 3,000€, classified as rare coins R3.

This is the complete table of values for the one hundred lire Minerva minted between 1954 and 1989:

Value | 100 lire 1955

1955 was the first year of minting the one hundred lire Minerva, with a mintage of 8,600,000 pieces. But how much are the 100 lire Minerva worth?

• The 100 Lire Minerva 1955, although not rare coins, have a nice valuation. In fact, their value is 900€ in FDC.
• If the condition drops to SPL, the value of the 100 Lire Minerva 1955 is around 150€.

Value | 100 lire 1956

• The 100 lire 1956 are common coins, their value in FDC is estimated around 250€.
• The 100 Lire 1956 in SPL have a cost of 45€.

Value | 100 lire 1957

90,600,000 pieces were minted in 1957.

• How much are the 100 lire from 1957 worth? A 100 Lire 1957 Minerva in FDC has a value of 300€.
• A 100 lire Minerva 1957 coin in SPL is around 45€.

Value | 100 lire 1958

In 1958, 25,640,000 new 100 lire Minerva coins were put into circulation.

• The 100 Lire 1958 Minerva is worth 550€ if in FDC.
• The same 100 Lire Minerva 1958 coin in SPL is worth 50€.
• Any 100 lire 1958 coin, if circulated and in poor condition, is worth very little. But this generally applies to the 100 Lire Minerva from other years as well.

Also known as 100 Lire Minerva Modulo Ridotto, 100 Lire Piccole or 100 Lire Secondo Tipo.

In 1990, a second type of one hundred lire coin was minted, featuring the same iconography but in much smaller dimensions.
It was precisely the “reduced dimensions” of the 100 lire piccole that made it inconvenient, which is why it was minted for only a few years, from 1990 to 1992, for a total of 324,000,000 pieces.

In addition to the 100 Lire Piccole, the 50 Lire Piccole were also minted… even smaller and therefore more inconvenient.

Variant of the 100 lire regarding the date of the coin:

Some 100 Lire Minerva II Type coins also have the particularity of a variant on the date:

• Some coins feature the 99 digits of the date more closed, both for 1990 and 1991. This particularity makes them interesting and increases their value.

The 100 Lire Piccole were minted in 1990, 1991, and 1992 with the following characteristics:

• Diameter: 18.30 mm
• Weight: 3.3 g
• Thickness: 1.86 mm
• Edge: Reeded
• Material: Acmonital
• Author: Giuseppe Romagnoli and Pietro Gianpaoli

Value | 100 Lire Piccole

What are the 100 lire piccole worth?

• The value of the 100 Lire Piccole, or 100 Modulo Ridotto, is 2€ for 1990/1991/1992
• 25€ for the 100 Lire Piccole 1990 with the 99 digits closed.
• 15€ for the 100 Lire Modulo Ridotto 1991 with the 99 digits of the date closed.

There are two versions of this coin:

• 100 Lire Italia Turrita First Type 1993 – Small Head
• 100 Lire Italia Turrita Second Type 1993

Let's start the description with the Second Type.

Starting from 1993, the one hundred lire Italia Turrita were minted in cupronickel, featuring a new iconography by Laura Cretara. The 100 Lire Italia Turrita was minted from 1993 until 2001.

• Diameter: 22 mm
• Weight: 4.5 g
• Thickness: 1.5 mm
• Edge: Interrupted Reeded
• Material: Cupronickel
• Author: Laura Cretara
• Mintage: 911,507,200

On the Obverse of this one hundred Lire Italia Turrita coin, we can see a head of Woman Turrita. Strands of hair intertwined in a double helix like DNA (referring to the origin and history of Italians) emerge from the veil. Below, along with the name of the author, are two five-pointed stars. Surrounding it is the inscription REPVBBLICA ITALIANA.

On the Reverse, the value 100 lire, along with the year and the mint mark of Rome R, are centered in a circle. Along the edge of the circle are a seagull and a dolphin, representing the freedom of sky and sea, an olive branch and a ear of wheat, symbols of peace and freedom.

There was an earlier version of the coin minted in 1993 with a smaller head and the author's name in a different position. These 100 Lire Italia Turrita First Type are considered rare coins R.
It is estimated that there may be between 100,000 and 400,000 specimens in circulation.

This variant, the 100 Lire Italia Turrita First Type, is also known as the 100 Lire Italia Turrita Small Head.

Value | 100 Lire Italia Turrita

What are the 100 lire Italia Turrita worth?

• Normally, the 100 Lire Italia Turrita are considered common coins C that can be worth from €2 to €8 depending on the year of issue.
• On May 14, 2011, a specimen in BU of the 100 lire Turrita Small Head was auctioned for €180, which is indeed its catalog value.

In Italy from 1974 to 1995, several 100 Lire Commemorative coins were minted.

• 1974 – 100 Lire Marconi
• 1979 – 100 Lire FAO
• 1981 – 100 Lire Naval Academy of Livorno
• 1995 – 100 Lire FAO Anniversary

Let's start describing them, beginning with the 100 Lire Marconi:

100 Lire 1974 Marconi

In this year, the first commemorative 100 Lire coin was issued. This coin is dedicated to the centenary of the birth of Guglielmo Marconi.

The 100 lire 1974 Marconi was minted from 1974.

• Diameter: 27.80 mm
• Weight: 8 g
• Thickness: 2 mm
• Edge: Reeded
• Material: Acmonital
• Author: Monassi

On the Obverse, the face of Guglielmo Marconi appears, surrounded by the inscription REPVBBLICA ITALIANA and the author's signature MONASSI below the star at the bottom of the coin.

On the Reverse, the Transmitter Antenna invented by Marconi is depicted, along with the centenary indication 1874-1974 on the left, the value L.100 with the R of the Italian mint on the right, and the inscription GUGLIELMO MARCONI at the bottom center on two lines.

Value of 100 lire Guglielmo Marconi 1974

A total of 50,000,000 coins of 100 Lire Marconi were minted, among which there are also PROOF versions, both in Acmonital and in Silver, and the value of the proof versions is higher because they are indeed rare 100 lire coins.

So, what are the 100 lire Marconi worth?

• The value of the 100 lire Guglielmo Marconi 1974 is 2€ for those C minted in 50,000,000 pieces.
• The 100 Lire Marconi PROOF in Silver, classified as a rare coin R2, is valued at approximately 350€.
• The 100 lire Guglielmo Marconi value for the PROOF in Acmonital is estimated at 250€ as it is classified as a rare coin R.

100 Lire 1979 FAO – Nourishing the World

To celebrate the FAO Day, Italy issued a new commemorative coin of one hundred lire in 1979.

The 100 lire 1979 FAO was minted from 1979.

• Diameter: 27.80 mm
• Weight: 8 g
• Thickness: 2 mm
• Edge: Reeded
• Material: Acmonital
• Author: Sergio Giandomenico

On the Obverse, a head of a girl with a braid is depicted, facing left and surrounded by the inscription REPVBBLICA ITALIANA. In the background, the stylization of the globe and at the bottom, the name of the engraver GIANDOMENICO.

On the Reverse, a cow nursing its calf is shown with the inscription NOURISHING THE WORLD above. On the left, the R of the Italian Mint in Rome and on the right, the value 100 LIRE 1979. Finally, at the bottom, the initials FAO.

100 lire FAO 1979 Value

What is the value of the 100 lire FAO 1979?

• FAO 100 Lire 1979 is estimated to be worth around 2€.

100 Lire 1981 Naval Academy of Livorno

A third commemorative one hundred lire coin was issued in 1981 to celebrate the centenary of the Naval Academy of Livorno.

The 100 Lire Naval Academy Livorno was minted from 1981.

• Diameter: 27.80 mm
• Weight: 8 g
• Thickness: 2 mm
• Edge: Reeded
• Material: Acmonital
• Author: Mario Vallucci / Moreno Moppi

On the Obverse, the Helm and an Anchor are represented at the center, topped by a turrited crown. Surrounding it is the inscription REPVBBLICA ITALIANA, while the engraver's signature M. Vallucci is at the bottom center of the coin.

On the Reverse, the flag of the Italian Navy is waving with the building of the Naval Academy of Livorno in the background, the dates 1881 and 1981, and the inscription CENTENARY NAVAL ACADEMY OF LIVORNO. At the bottom right, the author's signature MOPPI.

Value | 100 Lire Naval Academy Livorno

What are the 100 lire 1981 of the Naval Academy of Livorno worth?

• The 100 Lire Naval Academy of Livorno minted in 1981 reaches a value of over 2€ even in the best condition.

100 Lire FAO Anniversary 1995

The 100 lire FAO II type is the fourth and last commemorative one hundred lire of the Italian Republic to be minted and, like the first, is dedicated to the FAO.

In this case, it commemorates the Fiftieth Anniversary of the FAO.

The 100 lire FAO II type was minted in 1995.

• Diameter: 22 mm
• Weight: 4.5 g
• Thickness: 1.5 mm
• Edge: Discontinuous Reeded
• Material: Cupro-nickel
• Author: Laura Cretara
• Mintage: 100,007,960

On the Obverse, the image is the same as the one hundred lire Italia Turrita, with Italia Turrita facing left, the inscription REPVBBLICA ITALIANA around it and the signature of Laura Cretara under the neck near the two stars.

On the Reverse, the value indication 100 LIRE is intertwined with an olive branch and a wheat ear. In the background, meridians and parallels recall the globe, at whose pole is the fiftieth anniversary symbol and the dates 1945–1995.

Value | 100 Lire FAO II

What are the 100 lire 1995 FAO worth?

• Nevertheless, the current value remains low and does not exceed 2€.

Like many other lira coins we have seen in other articles, the 100 lire coins can have interesting values and quotes.
The value of 100 lire can vary from a few cents to hundreds of euros, depending on various parameters that we will describe.

It is important to remember that only coins in BU quality reach the prices often described: if the coin shows signs of wear and circulation, it is unlikely that the value of rare 100 lire will be very high.

If you want to estimate the value of your 100 lire coins, you can use one of our ebooks “Quantovale” which are available for immediate download, portable, and contain all the tables with the values of all 100 lire coins: you can find them on this page.

If you are lucky enough to own one of the valuable coins described on this page or in the ebooks “Quantovale” and want to sell it, you may find it very useful to read this article or sign up directly and for free by clicking here to auction your rare coin.

There are two versions of one hundred lire banknotes, both from the Kingdom of Italy.

The first version of the 100 lire di carta is from 1874, in blue, with the value printed in the center on the front of the banknote and a woman's effigy on the back.

A second one hundred lire banknote was issued in 1897, in a brownish color.

During the twenty-year fascist period, the Bank of Italy created only three new types of banknotes, including the one hundred lire, issued in 1931.
In the final periods of the fascist government, some early century prints were recycled and one hundred lire banknotes were printed in a different color (straw yellow).

To discover the value and secrets of other lira coins, read the section on rare lira. If you want to earn money by auctioning your lira coins, sign up for free here.

Do you want to estimate the value of your 100 lire coins yourself? Download our ebook “Quantovale 100 Lire” and you will be able to check the value of each individual 100 lire coin you have. Check here.