2 Cents of Italian Lira

The 2 centesimi of Lira were first issued in 1859 (actually in 1860) by the Provisional Government of Tuscany, while the last were minted in 1917.

From 1924, all coins of 1 and 2 centesimi were demonetized.

All 2 centesimi of Lira coins have a diameter of 20 millimeters and a weight of 2 grams, composed of Copper with a small percentage of Tin.

Description

On the obverse of these first 2 centesimi of lira coins, the inscription “VITTORIO EMANUELE RE ELETTO” can be seen on the outside, while in the center, within a beaded circle, stands the Crossed Coat of Arms of Savoy, crowned and adorned with the Collar of the Annunciation.
At the bottom, separated by a four-petal rosette, are the mint marks, namely a lion's head and a towered crown.

On the reverse, the value “2 CENTESIMI” and the year of minting “1859” are inscribed in the central part, while the outer circle reads “GOVERNO DELLA TOSCANA”.

The engraver is Luigi Gori.

History

The history of this 2 centesimi coin begins when, following protests and ultimatums, Leopoldo II left Florence and returned to Austria. A provisional government was then established in Tuscany.
This government was for the unification of Italy and introduced the tricolor as the flag and the Piedmontese lira as currency.
Although the 2 centesimi coins of the Provisional Government of Tuscany bear the date 1859 on the reverse, they were actually minted in 1860 by the Birmingham Mint.

Value of the 2 centesimi 1859

• These first coins of 2 centesimi of lira from the Provisional Government of Tuscany are classified as common, with a mintage of 11,012,300 pieces.
  If in BU condition, they can still reach a value of 250€.

Therefore, if you own a coin like these 2 centesimi, you can comfortably sell it at auction either individually or in a lot on this site and find a bidder for very high amounts.

Description

On the obverse of these 2 centesimi coins of Vittorio Emanuele II, the profile of the King is depicted, facing left, while below the neck is the engraver's mark “F•” of Giuseppe Ferraris.
Surrounding it, the inscription reads “VITTORIO EMANUELE II RE D’ITALIA”.

On the reverse, between a branch of laurel and one of oak, tied at the bottom with a ribbon, the value “2 CENTESIMI” and the year of minting can be read.
At the bottom, below the ribbon, is the mint mark, while at the top is a radiant star.

History

These 2 centesimi coins began to be minted with the birth of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 by the Mints of Milano (MdZ: M) and Napoli (MdZ: N), then in 1862 in Napoli and finally in 1867 by the Mints of Milano and Torino (MdZ: T).

Value of the 2 Centesimi with Vittorio Emanuele II

• The 2 centesimi of Lira minted in Milano in 1861 and 1867 are classified as common and have a value of 80€, with auction prices of 115€ for red copper specimens.
• Those from Torino of 1867 are classified as rare, with some red copper specimens having auction prices of 140€ and 322€.
• Meanwhile, those minted in Napoli in 1861 and 1862 are classified as rare and can reach a value of 700€.
  
  

Description

On the obverse of these 2 centesimi of lira of Umberto I, the profile of King Umberto I looking to the left stands out, with the inscription “UMBERTO I RE D’ITALIA” around the edge.
At the bottom, under the neck, is the mark “S•” of the author Filippo Speranza.

On the reverse of these 2 centesimi, laurel and oak branches tied with a ribbon appear, surrounding the value “2 CENTESIMI” and the year of minting.
At the top, a radiant star is visible again, and at the bottom is the mark “R” of the Rome mint.

History

In 1892, the Milan mint was closed, so all the 2 centesimi of Umberto I were minted in Rome.
They were minted in the years 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, and 1900. Of those from 1900, two variants are known:

• one without the “•” after the “S” of Filippo Speranza
• and one even without the “S”.

Value of the 2 Centesimi Umberto I

• The 2 centesimi of lira of Umberto I minted in the years 1897, 1898, and 1900 are classified as common. The coins from 1895 and 1900 without the “•” after the “S” are considered rare and can reach a value of 300€.
• The ones from 1896 are even rarer, classified as R2, and can have (if BU) a value of 900€.
• Finally, the 2 centesimi from 1900 without the “S” of the author are classified by Gigante as R4, extremely rare!
• Those without the . from 1900 are worth

Description

After Vittorio Emanuele III assumed the title of King of Italy on July 29, 1900, his profile appears facing left on the obverse of the coins, including the 2 centesimi.
In circulation, it reads “VITTORIO EMANUELE III RE D’ITALIA” and below the neck is again the “S•” of the author Filippo Speranza.

On the reverse, nothing changes compared to the 2 centesimi of his predecessor; indeed, the value “2 CENTESIMI” and the year of minting are enclosed by a laurel and oak wreath, with a radiant star at the top and the “R” mark of the Rome mint at the bottom.

History

Vittorio Emanuele III, known as the Numismatic King and author of the “Corpus Nummorum Italicorum,” was the last King of Italy, and during his reign, some of the most beautiful coins of the old Lira were minted.

These 2 centesimi “Valore” coins were minted in the years 1903, 1905, 1906, 1907, and 1908.

In fact, the 2 centesimi coins with the date 1903 were minted in 1904!

Value of the 2 Centesimi of Vittorio Emanuele III

• The value of these 2 centesimi of lira Vittorio Emanuele III “Valore,” in BU, can vary greatly. The coins from the years 1903, 1906, and 1908 are classified as common, while those from 1905 are uncommon. However, those from 1907 are very rare (R2) and can reach a value of 1,500 €

A site we always recommend for buying and selling Italian coins as well as coins from around the world is this one.

Description

On the obverse of these, which were the last 2 centesimi coins minted in Italy, appears the half-bust in uniform of King Vittorio Emanuele III facing left, with the inscription “VITTORIO EMANVELE III RE D’ITALIA” around it.

On the reverse, we have a depiction of a female figure, an allegorical embodiment of Italy, holding an olive branch while standing on the bow of a ship.
On the bow of the ship, the “R” mark of the Rome mint is visible, while on the side, the letters “P.C.M.” (Pietro Canonica Modelli) and “L.G.I.” (Luigi Giorgi Incisione) can be read.
The value “CENT.2” and the year of minting are placed at the top, respectively to the left and right of the female figure.

History

These 2 centesimi coins were minted from 1908 to 1917, with the exception of the year 1913.

The 2 centesimi “Italy on Bow” from 1908 feature the “R” of the Rome Mint in relief, while subsequent mintings show it in incuse (that is, recessed compared to the level of the coin).

There is also a proof version of the 2 centesimi “Italy on Bow” from 1908.

Value of the Italian 2 Centesimi “Bow”

• The 2 centesimi coins from the years 1909, 1911, and from 1914 to 1917 are classified as common and in BU can be worth from 30€ to 60€.
  Those from 1911 have the peculiarity of having a dot after the date (1911•)
• The 2 centesimi “Italy on Bow” from 1912 are classified as uncommon and can reach a value of 150€. The rare 2 centesimi coins are those from 1908 and 1910.
• The coins from 1910 feature a dot on the reverse after the date (1910•) and are instead lacking the letters “P.C.M.” and “L.G.I.”. They have a value, in BU, of about 200€.
• The 2 centesimi from 1908 can have a value of up to 500€ in Uncirculated condition.
• Meanwhile, the 2 centesimi “Italy on Bow” from 1908 proof version are classified as R2 and can reach a value of 1,000€.