50 Cents of Lira

The first 50 Cents Lira coin was minted by the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1825. These were silver coins, and they remained so until 1892, when the minting of 50 Cents coins in silver was discontinued in favor of other metals.

The last 50 Cents Lira coin minted by the Kingdom of Italy dates back to 1943, while in 1950 the Italian Republic minted 50 Cents coins for the period of the Italian trusteeship administration of Somalia.

In 1825, the Kingdom of Sardinia minted for the first time 50 Centesimi coins of Lira. There are five different 50 Centesimi coins minted by the Kingdom of Sardinia up to 1861, when it became the Kingdom of Italy.

50 Centesimi “Carlo Felice”

The first sovereign to have minted 50 Centesimi coins of Lira was Carlo Felice, King of Sardinia from 1821 until his death in 1831.

It was the mints of Turin and Genoa (only from 1826 to 1829) that minted these interesting coins.

Description 50 Centesimi “Carlo Felice”

These 50 Centesimi coins are made of silver (Ag 900) with a smooth edge and French axes.
The diameter is 18 millimeters and the weight is 2.5 grams.

On the obverse of these beautiful (and in some cases rare) coins stands the profile of King Carlo Felice facing right. Below the neck of the sovereign, the year of minting is inscribed, while around the edge, the inscription reads “CAR·FELIX D·G·REX SAR·CYP·ET HIER·”.
On the neck cut, above the date, is the indication of the author “A·L·” (Amedeo Lavy).

On the reverse, in the central part, appears the coat of arms with the Savoy cross, adorned with the collar of the Annunziata (the highest honor of the Kingdom of Sardinia) and topped by the Royal Crown. The coat of arms is surrounded by oak branches and along the edge, it reads “DVX SAB·GENVAE ET MONTISF·PRINC·PED·&·”.
At the bottom, we find the value “C·50·”, around which are the mint marks.

In particular, for the mint of Genoa, the marks are a P included in an oval and an anchor, while for the mint of Turin, the marks are an L included in a diamond and a head of an eagle until 1828; from 1829, the P included in the oval replaces the L in the diamond.

Value 50 Centesimi “Carlo Felice”

• As always, the value of the coins depends on their condition and rarity.
  Some of the 50 Centesimi coins of Carlo Felice are classified as common, particularly those from Turin from the years 1825, 1826, 1827, and 1828 and from Genoa from 1827, and their value ranges between 700€ and 900€ in FDC.
• On the other hand, the 50 Centesimi “Carlo Felice” coins minted in other years are rare or very rare, and their value can exceed 2,000€.

50 Centesimi “Carlo Alberto”

Following Carlo Felice, since he had no direct heirs, was his nephew Carlo Alberto, who reigned from 1831 to 1849, the year he abdicated in favor of his son Vittorio Emanuele II.

During the reign of Carlo Alberto of Savoy, 50 Centesimi coins were minted in the years 1833, 1835, 1842, 1843, 1845, and 1847.

Description 50 Centesimi “Carlo Alberto”

On the obverse of these rare 50 Centesimi coins of Lira, we see the profile of King Carlo Alberto, facing right. On the neck cut, the initial “F·” is visible, while below the profile is the year of minting.
In the circle, the inscription reads “CAR·ALBERTVS D·G·REX SARD·CYP·ET HIER·”.

Still in the circle but on the reverse, it reads “DVX SAB·GENVAE ET MONTISF·PRINC·PED·&·” and at the bottom, the value “C·50” preceded by the mint marks.

For the 50 Centesimi coins of 1833, there are both the variant minted in Genoa, with the mint mark being a P included in an oval and an anchor, and the variant minted in Turin with the P in the oval and a head of an eagle.

In the center, on the reverse, we again find the crossed coat of arms of the Savoy, crowned, adorned with the Collar of the Annunziata and surrounded by laurel branches.

Value 50 Centesimi “Carlo Alberto”

• All the 50 Centesimi coins of Carlo Alberto of Savoy are classified as rare coins, from R (those of Turin from 1833) to R3 (years 1833 Genoa, 1835, 1842, and 1847 Turin), so their value ranges from about 800€ to over 2,800€, having even reached over 5,000€ in some auctions.

If you own a coin like this one from Carlo Alberto, you can easily sell it at auction individually or in a lot on this site and find a bidder for very high amounts.

We will talk about the 50 Centesimi of the Kingdom of Italy later.

50 Centesimi “Vittorio Emanuele II”

Vittorio Emanuele II, son of Carlo Alberto di Savoia, was sovereign during the period of Italy's unification, and there are 5 coins of 50 Centesimi minted during his reign.

From 1850 to 1861, 50 Centesimi coins were minted in the name of Vittorio Emanuele II as King of Sardinia, while in 1859, 1860, and 1861, two types of 50 Centesimi coins known as “Re Eletto” were minted in Bologna (1859) and Florence (1860 and 1861).

Description 50 Centesimi “Vittorio Emanuele II”

On the obverse of these 50 Centesimi of Lira from the Kingdom of Sardinia, the profile of Vittorio Emanuele II facing right appears. Below the neck is the mark “F·” of the engraver Giuseppe Ferraris, lower down is the year of minting.
In the circle, it reads “VICTORIVS·EMMANVEL II·D·G·REX SARD·CYP·ET HIER·”.

On the reverse, the same elements as the previous 50 Centesimi are depicted, with small variations, and the same inscriptions.

However, the mint marks change. The mint mark for Genoa is a P included in a shield and an anchor, for Turin a P included in a shield and a head of an eagle, and for the mint of Milano a M followed by a dot.

Value 50 Centesimi “Vittorio Emanuele II”

• Except for the 50 Centesimi from the Milan mint of 1860, which are classified as NC, all those from other years range from R to R7 and can therefore have a very high value, up to 15,000€!

Description 50 Centesimi “Vittorio Emanuele II – Re Eletto – Bologna”

In these 50 cents, both on the obverse and reverse, the profile of the King Vittorio Emanuele II and the Coat of Arms crowned surrounded by laurel appear, while the inscriptions and the diameter change, which for these 50 Centesimi is 17 millimeters.

On the obverse, the inscription reads “VITTORIO EMANUELE II” and the date is 1859, although they were actually minted in 1860.

On the reverse, it reads “DIO PROTEGGE L’ITALIA” and the value “C·50”. To the right of the value is the mint mark of Bologna “B·”.

Value 50 Centesimi “Vittorio Emanuele II – Re Eletto – Bologna”

• The mintage of the 50 Centesimi of Vittorio Emanuele II Bologna is only 179,012 specimens and they are classified as rare. Their value, in FDC, can reach 3,000€!

Description 50 Centesimi “Vittorio Emanuele II – Re Eletto – Firenze”

This is the version of the 50 Centesimi Vittorio Emanuele II issued by the mint of Florence.

On the obverse, there are small variations in the profile of the King, the inscriptions that appear on these 50 Centesimi are “VITTORIO EMANUELE RE ELETTO”, with the engraver's mark “G·” (Luigi Gori) and the heraldic mountains with a band of Marchese Luigi Ridolfi, director of the mint of Florence from 1859 to 1861.

On the reverse, it reads “·CINQUANTA CENTESIMI·” and “FIRENZE” followed by the year of minting. They were minted in Florence in 1860 and 1861 and their diameter returns to being 18 millimeters.

Value 50 Centesimi “Vittorio Emanuele II – Re Eletto – Firenze”

• The mintage of the 50 Centesimi Vittorio Emanuele II Firenze for 1860 was 2,430,000 specimens and they are classified as common, with a value that can reach 750€.
• While for those of 1861, the mintage was 1,222,099 and they are classified as R4. Consequently, the value of the 50 Centesimi “Re Eletto” of 1861 is much higher and exceeds 5,000€ in FDC.

50 Cents “Vittorio Emanuele II”

Starting from 1861, two types of coins of 50 Cents of Vittorio Emanuele II were minted, namely Coat of Arms and Value, the first type, with the coat of arms on the reverse, from 1861 until 1863 and the second type from 1863 to 1867.

Description 50 Cents “Vittorio Emanuele II – Coat of Arms”

These are the first 50 Cents coins of the Kingdom of Italy: 50 Cents “Vittorio Emanuele II Coat of Arms”.

On the reverse, the crossed and crowned coat of arms appears again, with the Collar of the Annunciation and two laurel branches. In a circle, it reads “REGNO D’ITALIA”, at the bottom the value “C·50” with mint marks on either side that are:

in 1861

• a stylized plowshare with an F and the mountains with the band of Marchese Ridolfi for Florence
• a T and a B included in a shield for Turin

in 1862

• a N for the mint of Naples
• a B and a T in italics for Turin

in 1863

• a M and BN included in a box for the mint of Milano
• a T and BN included in a box for the mint of Turin.

Moreover, those of 1863 were minted with Ag 835‰ instead of Ag 900‰.

On the obverse of these 50 Cents “Coat of Arms”, there is the profile of King Vittorio Emanuele II facing right with, under the neck, the signature “FERRARIS” of the engraver Giuseppe Ferraris and even lower the year of minting.
In a circle, it reads “VITTORIO EMANUELE II”

Value 50 Cents “Vittorio Emanuele II – Coat of Arms”

All the 50 Cents “Vittorio Emanuele II – Coat of Arms” coins are classified from R to R4, thus they are coins that in good condition reach a good value.

• The 50 Cents “Vittorio Emanuele II Coat of Arms of Turin from 1861, if in BU, can reach 90,000€!
  In fact, they have a mintage of only 4,910 pieces, while the total mintage of these 50 Cents is 9,500,728 pieces.

Description 50 Cents “Vittorio Emanuele II – Value”

From 1863 to 1867, the reverse of the 50 Cents Vittorio Emanuele II coins no longer bears the Coat of Arms of Savoy, but in the center, above two tied laurel branches, the value “50 CENTESIMI” stands out.

Still on the reverse, at the top, there is the inscription “REGNO D’ITALIA” while at the bottom, under the laurel branches, we find the mint marks: a M and BN included in a box for the mint of Milano, a T and BN included in a box for the mint of Turin, and a N and BN included in a box for the mint of Naples.

On the obverse, nothing changes from the 50 Cents of previous years, except for the year of minting, so the profile of King Vittorio Emanuele II remains facing right.

All were minted with silver 835‰.

The specimens with the date of 1863 were actually minted in 1864 and 1865 for Milano and Turin and in 1866 for Turin and Naples, while some specimens from Milano with the date 1867 were also minted in 1868.

Value 50 Cents “Vittorio Emanuele II – Value”

For these 50 Cents Vittorio Emanuele II Value, rarity ranges from C to R3.

• The common and uncommon ones can have a value between 160€ and 500€
• While those from Turin of 1867, R3, can be worth 5,000€.

50 Cents “Umberto I”

The successor of Vittorio Emanuele II was his son Umberto, who became King of Italy under the name of Umberto I.

During his reign, the last two coins of 50 Cents of Lira in silver (Ag 835‰) were minted.

Description 50 Cents “Umberto I”

In 1889 and 1892, coins of 50 Cents were minted that featured on the obverse the profile of King Umberto I facing right, with the date at the bottom and “UMBERTO I RE D’ITALIA” in a circle.
In these 50 Cents coins, the signature of the engraver and model author Filippo Speranza is missing.

On the reverse, the Coat of Arms of Savoy is depicted again, crowned and with the Collar of the Annunciation. To the left and right of the coat of arms are respectively “C” and “50” and all is enclosed by laurel and oak branches. At the bottom right is the “R” of the mint of Rome, while at the top is a radiant star.

Value 50 Cents “Umberto I”

• Both the 50 Cents “Umberto I” of 1889 and those of 1892 are rare coins, particularly those of 1892 which are classified R2 and can be worth up to 1000€. Those of 1889 can still reach a respectable value.

Curiosity: A site we always recommend for buying and selling Italian coins (but also from all over the world) is this one.

50 Cents “Umberto I – Eritrean Colony”

In 1890, the mint of Milan minted 1,800,000 specimens of 50 Cents of Lira, corresponding to 1/10 of a Taller, for the Eritrean Colony.

In 1890, 686,082 pieces were minted and in 1891 the remaining 1,113,918 pieces.

Description 50 Cents “Umberto I – Eritrean Colony”

On the obverse of these coins, King Umberto I appears with a crown and uniform, and in a circle, it is written “UMBERTO I RE D’ITALIA · 1890”.

On the reverse, from top to bottom, we find the inscription “COLONIA ERITREA” in a circle, a star, the value “C·50”, the value written in Amharic, the value written in Arabic, two tied laurel branches and finally the mint mark “M”.

Value 50 Cents “Umberto I – Eritrean Colony”

• These 50 Cents coins of King Umberto I Eritrean Colony are classified as R and their value, in uncirculated condition, can reach 700€.
• Some sources classify them as R2, on 13/01/2015 in an auction, a qFDC specimen was sold for 755€.

50 Cents “Vittorio Emanuele III”

Vittorio Emanuele III, son of Umberto I, ascended to the throne in 1900 after his father was killed in Monza by an anarchist, Gaetano Bresci.

Vittorio Emanuele III was a coin and numismatics enthusiast, he wrote a work in twenty volumes, the “Corpus Nummorum Italicorum” and is also remembered as the Numismatic King.

Moreover, under his reign, the minting of 50 Cents coins began, initially in Nickel 975‰, then for autarky, the mint decided, by Royal Decree of 1938, the issuance of coins in Acmonital.

Description 50 Cents “Vittorio Emanuele III – Lions”

From 1919 to 1935, a total of 75,483,200 coins of 50 Cents Vittorio Emanuele III “Lions” were issued.

These coins have a diameter of 23.8 millimeters and a weight of 6 grams, similar to the diameter and weight of the 5 Lire coins with which they were often confused. For this reason, they were withdrawn from circulation to modify their edge, initially smooth, to ribbed.

On the obverse of these 50 Cents of Lira, there is the profile of King Vittorio Emanuele III facing left and in a circle, the inscription “VITT·EM·III·RE·D’ITALIA”. At the bottom, under the neck, is the signature “G·ROMAGNOLI”. Only in the coins of 1927 does the author's signature not appear, a detail that increases their rarity.

On the reverse, we understand why these 50 Cents are called “Lions”. Indeed, four lions are prominently pulling a quadriga on which Justice sits with a torch. At the top, it reads “AEQVITAS”, in exergue the date, the R mark of the mint of Rome and the value “C·50”.
On the chariot, the letters “G·R·M” and “A·M·INC” are inscribed, which stand for “Giuseppe Romagnoli Models” and “Attilio Silvio Motti Engraver.

Value 50 Cents “Vittorio Emanuele III – Lions”

Regarding these particular 50 Cents of Lira, based on the year of minting and the edge, smooth or ribbed, as well as the state of preservation, the market value varies considerably.

• The coins of 50 Cents Vittorio Emanuele III “Lions” of 1919, for example, are classified as NC (smooth edge) or C (ribbed edge), but if with a ribbed edge and in BU quality, they are classified as R4 and can be worth up to 10,000€.
• The coin of 50 Cents 1920 with a smooth edge in BU is worth 100€
• The coin of 50 Cents 1920 with a ribbed edge, also in BU, is worth 8,000€

Description 50 Cents “Vittorio Emanuele III – Empire”

At the end of the Ethiopian war, on May 9, 1936, Vittorio Emanuele III assumed the title of Emperor and therefore from 1936, a second type of 50 Cents coin was issued, known as “Empire”.

On the obverse, the profile of Vittorio Emanuele III is facing right and in a circle, the inscription “VITT·EMAN·III·RE·E·IMP·” is written. Under the king's neck, the signature “G·ROMAGNOLI” is visible.

On the reverse of this coin, an imperial eagle with outstretched wings appears, holding a fasces between its claws. At the top, it is written “ITALIA” and to the left of the eagle, the date is reported, under which the year according to the Fascist Era is written in Roman numerals.
In exergue, there is the R of the mint of Rome and the Savoy coat of arms, included in the value “C·50”.

For this type of 50 Cents coins, both specimens in nickel-chromium steel, non-magnetic, and specimens in chromium steel, highly magnetic, were minted.

Value 50 Cents “Vittorio Emanuele III – Empire”

• Some specimens of these 50 Cents are common, while others are classified as rare coins, such as those of 1938 non-magnetic of which only 3 specimens are known and which in BU can be worth 15,000€.

50 Cents “Napoleon I King of Italy – Austrian Siege of 1814”

Palmanova is a fortress city that the Venetians built in the late 1500s to control Friuli. In 1805, Palmanova was occupied by the French during the second campaign of Italy.

During the French occupation, it was reinforced, so much so that it withstood three sieges, in 1809, 1813, and 1814. During the last siege, the French minted these 50 cents of siege, asking the population to surrender metal objects for minting.

Since there was no mint in the fortress, the coins were minted in a farmhouse near the fortress.

Description 50 Cents “Napoleon I – Palmanova 1814”

On the obverse of these coins, the value “CENT·I 50” appears in the center while in a circle, with the “N” reversed, “ИAPOLEOИE IMP·E E RE”. At the bottom is a small cup, the mark of the engraver Luigi Manfredini.

On the reverse, in a circle, it reads “MOИ·TA D’ASSE·O PALMA” followed by a rose. In the center, there is a radiated iron crown, with the date 1814 at the bottom.

The material is, as can be imagined from what has been said before, a mixture composed of copper, iron, bronze, and tin, and the dimensions are 28 millimeters in diameter and 12 grams in weight.

Value 50 Cents “Napoleon I – Palmanova 1814”

These coins are very rare because they were minted in only one year and the total mintage is not even known.

• They are classified as R2 and can reach a value of 2000€.

50 Cents “A.F.I.S.-1950”

From 1950 to 1960, Italy minted various coins for the period of Italian Trusteeship Administration of Somalia, including a coin in mixture of 50 Cents, with a diameter of 21 millimeters and a weight of 3.8 grams.

Description 50 Cents “A.F.I.S.”

On the obverse, a leopard surmounted by a star between two crescent moons appears, and at the bottom, the inscription “SOMALIA” with the signature “ROMAGNOLI” of the model author and engraver Giuseppe Romagnoli.

On the reverse, inside a beaded circle, we find the value “50 CENTESIMI”, while outside at the top, the inscription “ROMA – 1950”, repeated at the bottom in Arabic characters.

Value 50 Cents “A.F.I.S.”

• These particular coins of 50 Cents A.F.I.S. are classified as R, even R2 for the proof version. Their value, therefore, in BU, ranges from 75€ to 650€.

50 Cents “San Marino-1898”

In 1898, the Republic of San Marino also minted 40,000 coins of 50 Cents of Lira in silver 835‰.

They were coins with a diameter of 18 millimeters and a weight of 2.5 grams and were minted by the mint of Rome.

Description 50 Cents “San Marino – 1898”

These 50 Cents coins on the obverse bear the coat of arms of the Republic of San Marino, with the three feathered towers, surmounted by a crown and surrounded by laurel and oak branches.
In a circle, it reads “RESPVBLICA S.MARINI” and at the bottom in exergue, an “S” for the author Filippo Speranza.

On the reverse, the value “50 CENTESIMI” and the year 1898 are reported, between two tied laurel branches. At the bottom appears the “R” of the mint of Rome.

Value 50 Cents “San Marino – 1898”

• These Sammarinese coins are classified as common, not rare, so even in BU they can be worth around 90€.

The Vatican also minted two 50 Cents of Lira coins, the first under the papacy of Pius XI, the second under Pius XII.

50 Cents “Pius XI”

On the obverse of these 50 Vatican cents, the coat of arms of Pope Pius XI is depicted, topped with the Keys and the papal Tiara, with the mint year below.
In circulation, the inscriptions read “PIVS·XI·PONT MAX·AN·(year of papacy in Roman numerals)”.

On the reverse, the figure of the Archangel Michael stands armed with a sword, between “C.” and “50”, and in exergue, the signatures “MISTRVZZI” and “A·MOTTI·INC”.
The inscriptions in circulation read “STATE OF THE CITY OF VATICAN”.

These coins are made of 975‰ nickel, with a diameter of 23.8 millimeters and a weight of 6 grams, featuring a reeded edge.

In the 1933 coins, the date 1934 is also inscribed in honor of the extraordinary jubilee desired by the Pope.

Value of 50 Cents “Pius XI”

• These coins were minted from 1929 to 1937, and aside from those from 1929 and 1935 classified as R, they are all common.
  Their value can reach around 60€.

50 Cents “Pius XII” First and Second Type

During the papacy of Pius XII, 50 Cents of Lira coins were also minted, particularly recognized in two types:

• First type
• Second type

In the 50 Cents of the first type, compared to those of Pius XI, the coat of arms and the inscriptions on the obverse change.

The coat of arms is that of Pope Pius XII and the inscriptions read “PIVS·XII·PONTIFEX·MAXIMVS·A·(year of papacy in Roman numerals)”.
They were minted from 1939 to 1941 in Acmonital, with a diameter of 24.1 millimeters and a weight of 6 grams, and have a reeded edge.

The second type is also made of Acmonital, has the same dimensions and weight, but different depictions.

On the reverse, instead of Saint Michael, the Justice seated appears with the Gospel and a scale.
In the upper circle, we read “STATE OF THE CITY OF VATICAN”, beside Justice the inscription “IVSTITIA”, and in exergue the value “Cmi 50” with the signature “MISTRVZZI”.

On the obverse, a different version of the Papal Coat of Arms of Pius XII appears along with the inscription “PIVS·XII·PONTIFEX·MAXIMVS·ANNO·(year of papacy in Roman numerals)”.

Value of 50 Cents “Pius XII”

• The coins from the years 1939 to 1942 are classified as common, while those from 1943 to 1946 are considered rare coins (R3), but their value remains modest, between 20€ and 180€.

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Check out these topics on the lira:

• Here you can learn all about the 1 lira, 2 lire, 5 lire, rare 10 lire, 20 lire, and 50 lire.
• The 10 cents of lira are here, the 20 cents here, and here are the rare 50 cents of lira.
• If you are looking for the 1 cent of lira, look here and here for the rare 2 cents of lira and the 5 cents of lira.
• If you want info on 100 lire and their value, you can find it here, as well as that of the 1000 Lire of the Italian Republic.
• We have discussed 200 lire and their value here.
• We have talked about the Telephone Tokens that were worth 200 lire on this page.
• We have also discussed the 500 silver lire, the 500 bimetallic lire, and the 500 paper lire
  
• For German-speaking collectors, we have created a dedicated version of the catalog of rare coins found here “MoneteRare Deutschland”.