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coppernicus
Penny Collector Member
USA
383 Posts |
 Posted - 11/14/2008 : 16:39:50
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Today I found a coin that has ITALIA on the back on the top with an eagle in the center. The date is 1938. On the bottom it has a shield with a crown on top. Letter C is to the left of shield number 5 is to the right of the shield.On the front is a mans face with letters VITT-EM- III-RE-E-IMP. Any idea what it is and what it is worth?
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redneck
1000+ Penny Miser Member
1273 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2008 : 16:55:07
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Look in the numismatics forum.
There is already a thread for this kind of identification.
Post it there...
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Bluegill
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1964 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2008 : 17:11:59
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It sounds like you have one of these. I found this one about a month and a half ago.
It is 5 centesimi. There are 5 centesimi in a Lira. In '39 they were made either from Cu or bronze. I don't know the purities.
I have no idea what it is worth. I'm sure Cerulean can fill in the blanks. 
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coppernicus
Penny Collector Member
USA
383 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2008 : 19:01:31
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| Yes that is it. |
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Cerulean
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
993 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2008 : 07:40:28
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Nice find... wish I had one of those.
Note the fasces in the eagle's claws? That's the symbol of the Mussolini regime, and the namesake of the epithet "Fascist". (The same symbol was used on the reverse of our Mercury dime 1916-1945, but won't ever appear again, for obvious reasons.)
The R under the date is the mintmark of the mint in Rome. "R" still appears on Italian euro coins.
"VITT-EM-III-RE-E-IMP" refers to Victor Emmanuel III, king of Italy from 1900 to 1946. Mussolini stripped the throne of almost all its powers, and Italy abolished the monarchy after the war in 1946, making Vic 3 the last King of Italy. He also was the emperor of Ethiopia during that time, which was held as an imperial colony before WWII. |
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jadedragon
Administrator
Canada
3788 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2008 : 11:52:43
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| Very cool find. Just to build on Cerulean's comments on VITT-EM-III-RE-E-IMP - seems like the "E-IMP" means Ethiopia Emperor. Many Commonwealth coins from before India gained its independance have a similar legand that include "IND-IMP" or some variation. |
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mingusdew
Penny Sorter Member
64 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2008 : 12:37:40
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Interesting history lesson, Cerulean. Especially about the fasces:
You must be logged in to see this link.
I read about that a little while ago, and found it rather odd how prominent it is here in the USA.
If I'm not mistaken, the rods within the fasces represent "the people" while the ties that bind them together represent the state, or otherwise governing body. The axe blade symbolizes the power of the state or governing body over the life and death of the populace. Rather unnerving, if you ask me.
edit to add: Though I've heard people argue, that because the axe blade is outside the rods, that it instead symbolizes the obligation of government to defend its populace.
I like that translation a lot better. |
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Edited by - mingusdew on 11/17/2008 12:40:57 |
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coppernicus
Penny Collector Member
USA
383 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2008 : 16:27:52
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| Any idea what the XX on the back side is for? I assume it is roman numeral for 20 but what is the significance of 20 for a 1942 coin? I believe my coin was a 1938 and had XVI for sixteen on it. |
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Bluegill
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1964 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2008 : 17:34:23
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quote:
Originally posted by coppernicus
Any idea what the XX on the back side is for? I assume it is roman numeral for 20 but what is the significance of 20 for a 1942 coin? I believe my coin was a 1938 and had XVI for sixteen on it.
On 23 March 1919 Benito Mussolini founded the "Fasci di Combattimento" in Milan and transformed it into the National Fascist party in November 1921. After the march on Rome the following October, Vittorio Emanuele III asked Mussolini to form a new cabinet on the 28th of October 1922.
The 1st anniversary of the march on Rome and the Fascist Government was remembered in 1923 with the "Fasces" series and the 6th anniversary with the "Lictor" series.
The starting year of the Fascist era was considered 1922. The coins minted during the dictatorship reported both the "after Christ year" (in Arabic numeration), and the Fascist era format (in roman numeration).
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coppernicus
Penny Collector Member
USA
383 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2008 : 20:06:33
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| Bluegill- Thanks for the info and it was good chatting with you yesterday. Its funny with this coin, I am getting more of a history lesson than I did in school |
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NotABigDeal
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2008 : 20:18:20
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It just shows how knowledgeable the members of this board are. Great information guys.
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New foreign coin find- any info?
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