Italy · 5 Lire
5 Lire Dolphin: value and mintage 1951–2001
Italy’s 5 lire Dolphin was struck from 1951 to 2001, with a gap from 1957 to 1965. Almost every year is common; the only rare date in the series is 1956.
Description of the 5 Lire Dolphin
The obverse shows a rudder, the legend REPVBBLICA ITALIANA and G. Romagnoli’s signature below. The reverse has a dolphin with a bent tail, the value 5 above and the mint mark R on the right. The edge is smooth.
Italma aluminium alloy, 20.20 mm, 1 g, 1.40 mm thick. Catalogue KM# 92. Coin alignment (180°).
There is no Dolphin 5 lire for every year: Rome did not strike it from 1957 to 1965. From 1999 to 2001 it appeared only in mint sets.
Coin specifications
| Country | Italy |
|---|---|
| Coin type | Circulation coin |
| Subject | Dolphin |
| Denomination | 5 lire |
| Year | 1951–2001 |
| Catalogue | KM# 92 |
| Engraver | Giuseppe Romagnoli |
| Mint | Rome |
| Material | Italma (aluminium alloy) |
| Diameter | 20,20 mm |
| Thickness | 1,40 mm |
| Weight | 1 g |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Alignment | Coin alignment (180°) |
Mintage and rarity
| Year | Mint | Mintage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Rome | 40.260.000 | FDC 12€ |
| 1952 | Rome | 57.400.000 | FDC 12€ |
| 1953 | Rome | 196.200.000 | FDC 12€ |
| 1954 | Rome | 436.400.000 | Signature near the rim |
| 1954 | Rome | incluso | Signature far from the rim |
| 1955 | Rome | 159.000.000 | Signature near the rim |
| 1955 | Rome | incluso | Signature far from the rim |
| 1956 | Rome | 400.000 | FDC 3.500€ |
| 1966 | Rome | 1.200.000 | FDC 7€ |
| 1967 | Rome | 10.600.000 | FDC 5€ |
| 1968 | Rome | 7.500.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1969 | Rome | 7.910.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1969 | Rome | incluso | Inverted 1 in the date |
| 1970 | Rome | 4.211.000 | FDC 1€ |
| 1971 | Rome | 8.600.000 | FDC 1€ |
| 1972 | Rome | 16.400.000 | FDC 1€ |
| 1973 | Rome | 28.800.000 | FDC 1€ |
| 1974 | Rome | 6.600.000 | FDC 1€ |
| 1975 | Rome | 7.000.000 | FDC 1€ |
| 1976 | Rome | 9.000.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1977 | Rome | 6.600.000 | FDC 1€ |
| 1978 | Rome | 3.600.000 | FDC 1€ |
| 1979 | Rome | 5.000.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1980 | Rome | 5.000.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1981 | Rome | 5.000.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1982 | Rome | 8.910.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1983 | Rome | 5.000.000 | FDC 3€ |
| 1984 | Rome | 2.090.000 | FDC 4€ |
| 1985 | Rome | 3.000.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1986 | Rome | 5.000.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1987 | Rome | 7.000.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1988 | Rome | 5.000.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1989 | Rome | 2.500.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1989 | Rome | incluso | Inverted rudder |
| 1990 | Rome | 2.500.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1991 | Rome | 2.000.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1992 | Rome | 1.000.000 | FDC 4€ |
| 1993 | Rome | 1.000.000 | FDC 4€ |
| 1994 | Rome | 1.000.000 | FDC 4€ |
| 1995 | Rome | 3.000.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1996 | Rome | 2.500.000 | FDC 2€ |
| 1997 | Rome | 1.000.000 | FDC 4€ |
| 1998 | Rome | 1.500.000 | FDC 3€ |
| 1999 | Rome | 51.800 | Mint set |
| 2000 | Rome | 61.400 | Mint set |
| 2001 | Rome | 115.250 | Mint set |
Market value
Common dates are usually worth €1–12 uncirculated and little if worn. The exception is the 1956 5 lire: 400,000 pieces, from about €60 in Fine up to €2,100–3,500 uncirculated.
The 1954 5 lire is the largest mintage (436,400,000): about €7 in XF and €10–15 uncirculated. The signature far from the rim variety (also on 1955) reaches €25. Other exceptions: 1969 with an inverted 1 in the date (up to €90), 1989 with an inverted rudder (€20) and 1999–2001 mint sets (€10–15).
Indicative MoneteRare catalogue prices; the second-hand market moves with grade and demand.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a 5 lire Dolphin coin worth?
Common dates of the 1951–2001 series are about €1–12 uncirculated. The only rare year is 1956 (up to €3,500 uncirculated). Circulated common dates have almost no value.
Which 5 lire Dolphin coins are rare?
Only 1956 is rare (400,000 pieces). Scarcer varieties: signature far from the rim on 1954 and 1955, inverted 1 on 1969, inverted rudder on 1989, and 1999–2001 mint sets. 1954 is the most common date, despite the search volume.
Is there a 5 lire Dolphin from 1957, 1958 or 1959?
No. The Dolphin 5 lire was not struck from 1957 to 1965. The series resumes in 1966 (1,200,000 pieces).
Who designed the 5 lire Dolphin?
Giuseppe Romagnoli. His signature is on the obverse under the rudder. Rome mint (R).
What is the 5 lire Dolphin made of?
Italma, an aluminium alloy. 1 gram, 20.20 mm diameter, 1.40 mm thick. Catalogue KM# 92.
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