Moneta's Temple and Gallery

Italy - Roman Republic Scudo 1799

Moneta — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 11:37:22 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: Roman Republic (1798 - 1799), one of the new and short lived republics established as a result of the French Revolutionary War period. Latin legend, OB: REPVBLICA ROMANA; Rx: SCVDO ROMANO. Engraver was Tommaso Mercandetti with his name appearing as T. MERCANDETTI on the underside of the ground field in exergue.

Italy - Siege of Mantua AN VII (1799)

Moneta — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 09:45:41 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: This coin is part of the French Revolutionary Wars series the Moneta Museum tries to accumulate. Initially the Austrians were under siege in 1796. As the wars progressed the shoe was on the other foot as the French forces came under siege in Mantua. This coin was struck during that short siege of April to the end of July of 1799. You can see the much more available 1 Soldi here in the Museum at this: /showphoto.php?photo=2467&title=siege-of-mantua1799&cat=893 Napoleon had occupied Mantua in northern Italy during the first siege in 1797. Now the Austrians were back with 40k troops vs the French forces of 10k holding Mantua. The Siege of Mantua (1799) was a four-month effort by the Austrian army to regain a presence in northern Italy after being excluded from that region by Napoleon Bonaparte through the successful French Siege of Mantua in 1797. In April 1799, the Austrians placed a military blockade around Mantua as part of the War of the Second Coalition with the intent of withering the French by attrition. While the diminishing food supplies and losses weakened the French army, the Austrians received reinforcements and attacked on 4 July 1799. By the end of the month, the French agreed to surrender. Therefore, this billon coin was struck during the very short period of July 1799 (AN VII). Obverse has a fasces topped with a Liberty Cap; legend is: ASSEDIO. D.I. MANT. AN. VII. R. Reverse legend is SOLDI DI MILANO V.

Italy - Piedmont Nation 2 Soldi AN9 1800

Moneta — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 20:58:04 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: NAZIONE PIEDMONTESE (OB) was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798. This area of Italy is part of the mainland holdings of Sardinia. By 1799 Austria and Russian forces overthrew the republic as part of the French Revolutionary Wars. Date is AN9 which equates to ~1800. Reverse legend is LIBERTA - EGUAGLIANZA (means LIBERY - EQUALITY). The instrument shown is a masons level and was also used as an angle measurement tool. It's a prominent symbol used during the French Revolution as is the Liberty Cap atop the level. These are very hard to locate in better condition and it's my second, and much better example.

Italy - Partenopean or Napolitana Republic 1799

Moneta — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 20:31:14 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: This rare piece is part of my series related to the French Revolution inspired revolutions among the Italian States. In this case the short lived Parthenopean Republic of Naples, 12 Carlini, the highest denomination and RARE. The Republic lasted just a little over 140 days. Obverse legend is: 'REPUBBLICA NAPOLITANA' Liberty appears supporting a fasces, w/axe and holds spear topped with a Liberty Cap. The reverse legend around is 'ANNO SETTIMO DELLA LIBERTA.' which equates to 'Year AN7 (1799) of Liberty'. Inner wreath legend is: 'CAR/LINI/DODI/CI', or 12 Carlini, without the ZN mintmark (rare). Edge is engrailed with what appears to be slashed thru circles. The history of the revolution here is quite brutal, short, and involved the British Navy. The Parthenopean Republic (Italian: Repubblica Parthenopea) was a semi-autonomous Republic located within the Kingdom of Naples and supported by the French First Republic. The republic emerged during the French Revolutionary War after King Ferdinand IV fled before advancing French troops. The republic existed from 21 January to 13 June 1799, collapsing when Ferdinand returned to restore monarchial authority and forcibly subdued republican activities. Italy, Naples, Parthenopean Republic, silver 12 Carlini, ANNO SETTIMO (1799), REPUBBLICA – NAPOLITANA, standing figure of Liberty holding Liberty cap on staff in r. hand and fasces in l., rev. CARLINI DODICI, value within wreath (KM.C84.2; Dav.1410; Pag.1)

Italy - Vatican City 20 Centesimi 1940 St. Paul

Moneta — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 15:28:40 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: Pope Pius XII, 2 year issue features Saint Paul. Here the OB/Rx images are reversed. OB: PIVS·XII·PONTIF EX·MAXIMVS·A·III; Rx: STATO DELLA CITTÀ DEL VATICANO C. 20. Engraver: Aurelio Mistruzzi

San Marino (Italy) 5 Lire 1936 R

Moneta — Sat, 04 Jul 2020 16:25:06 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: San Marino is a very small landlocked country surrounded by Italy. It consists of not much more than about 3 hills. I like the design of a male figure in a medieval helmet. The reverse features a plow which is a common theme on Italian coins as well. The 1936 saw 100k of these struck in Rome.

Italy - Mantua Siege of 1848 - Austrian Fiorino

Moneta — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 16:15:23 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: OB: Ferdinand I of Austria-Hungary portrait with mintmark of 'GM'. This coin was previously listed under Austria (KM2226). This was an issue for 1848 only as Italians besieged Austrian forces at Mantua, northern Italy. [FERD.I.D.G.AVSTR.IMP.HVNG.BOH.R.H.N.V]. Rx: Imperial Eagle [REX.LOMB.ET.VEN.DALM.-GAL.LOD.ILL.A.A]. Scarce with only 3,947 struck. Taken by Austria (& Russia) during the French Revolutionary Wars period (~1799), Mantua was solidly in Austrian hands by 1814. During the Revolutions of 1848 a general insurrection against Austrian rule occurred in northern Italy. An army under King Carlo Alberto of Sardinia-Piedmont besieged Mantua with the Austrians, under General Radetzky, defending it successfully. This series of coins bear the 'GM' mintmark which is presumed to refer to Guarnigione Mantua (Garrison Mantua). Mantua was united with the rest of Italy in 1866.

Italy - Roman Republic Pergola 1798

Moneta — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 20:59:27 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: Part of my French Revolutionary Wars series, however, this rare coin is not in the Moneta Museum. Coin photo is from VL Nummis Auctions, Lot 617, Sep 9, 2018. Their description: Italian States Pergola Firts Roman Republic (1798-1799) 2 Baiocchi 1798 Pergola Muntoni 67, Berman 3192. PCGS AU50

Italy - Ancona 1849A

Moneta — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:46:59 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: A second example here in the Museum. Second Republic and the second break from Papal States' rule in Ancona. The first Republic of 1798 - 1799, inspired and aided by the French Revolution, saw re-strikes of Papal coinage during the siege and issues similar to the Roman Republic issues except with an "A" or Ancona included in the legend. This is an extremely nice specimen (better than KM) of this cast emergency coinage. OB: "REPUBBLICA ROMANA" with fasces topped with liberty cap. The 2nd Roman Republic was proclaimed on 9 Feb. 1849. 1849-A Baiocco, Ancona mint, of the Second Roman Republic which lasted from late 1848 when Pius IX fled (Dec 9) to Gaeta until July 1849 when French (and/or Austrian) troops restored the pope.

Siege of Mantua - 1799

Moneta — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 15:44:42 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: Part of the French Revolutionary Wars. Napoleon had occupied Mantua in northern Italy during the first siege in 1797. Now the Austrians were back with 40k troops vs the French forces of 10k holding Mantua. The Siege of Mantua (1799) was a four-month effort by the Austrian army to regain a presence in northern Italy after being excluded from that region by Napoleon Bonaparte through the successful French Siege of Mantua in 1797. In April 1799, the Austrians placed a military blockade around Mantua as part of the War of the Second Coalition with the intent of withering the French by attrition. While the diminishing food supplies and losses weakened the French army, the Austrians received reinforcements and attacked on 4 July 1799. By the end of the month, the French agreed to surrender. Therefore, this coin was crudely cast of brass and lead during the very short period of July 1799 (AN VII). This shows exceptional execution and preservation, these were also cast in 2 & 5 Soldo denominations. Obverse has a fasces topped with a Liberty Cap; legend is: ASSEDIO. D.-I. MANTOVA. Reverse legend is UN SOLDO DI MILAN.

Piedmont - Subalpine Gaul 5 Francs

Moneta — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 16:14:21 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: Piedmont Republic was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798. By 1799 Austria and Russian forces overthrew the republic. Date is AN 10 which equates to 1801, I do not know the reason for the incongruity of the date. Obverse legend is GAULE SUBALPINE The instrument shown being held by the allegorical figure of Libertas is a masons level and was also used as an angle measurement tool. It's a prominent symbol used during the French Revolution. The other female figure with Libertas is Aequitas. These were struck in AN9 & AN10. The Heart symbol is the mark of mintmaster Vittorio Modesto Paroletti at the mint in Turin Italy with 33k struck. The edge is engrailed with a leaf like pattern around. I'm still mystified on the exact relavance of ERIDANIA, most references indicate this a a female name but it must relate to the Piedmont area. Any help would be appreciated.

Italy - Piedmont Republic 2 Soldi, 1800

Moneta — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 15:58:31 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: NAZIONE PIEDMONTESE [Piedmontese Nation](OB) was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798. By 1799 Austria and Russian forces overthrew the republic. Date is Anno 9 which equates to 1800. Reverse legend is LIBERTA - EGUAGLANZA (means LIBERY - EQUALITY). The instrument shown is a masons level and was also used as an angle measurement tool. It's a prominent symbol used during the French Revolution as is the Liberty Cap atop the level. This a typical example, I've acquired a much better example, which can also be seen in the Moneta Museum.

Naples - Parthenopean Rep. 1799

Moneta — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 16:54:03 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: This fine and scarce piece is part of my series related to the French Revolution inspired revolutions among the Italian States. In this case the short lived Parthenopean Republic of Naples, Italy. Obverse legend is: 'REPUBBLICA NAPOLITANA' with fasces, spear, ax and Liberty Cap. The reverse legend around is 'ANNO SETTIMO DELLA LIBERTA.' which equates to 'Year AN7 (1799) of Liberty'. Inner wreath legend is: 'TOR/NESI/SEI', or 6 Tornesi, without the ZN mintmark (rare). Edge is engrailed with what appears to be slashed thru circles. The history of the revolution here is quite brutal, short, and involved the British Navy. The Parthenopean Republic (Italian: Repubblica Parthenopea) was a semi-autonomous Republic located within the Kingdom of Naples and supported by the French First Republic. The republic emerged during the French Revolutionary War after King Ferdinand IV fled before advancing French troops. The republic existed from 21 January to 13 June 1799, collapsing when Ferdinand returned to restore monarchial authority and forcibly subdued republican activities.

Italy - Roman Republic 1849 Half Baiocco

Moneta — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 13:27:40 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: Rebirth of the Roman Republic during the European Revolutions of 1848 - 1849. Appears overstruck on another coin. Rome mint - Scarce.

Italy - Roman Republic 1849 Half Baiocco

Moneta — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 13:27:40 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: Rebirth of the Roman Republic during the European Revolutions of 1848 - 1849. Appears overstruck on another coin. Rome mint - Scarce.

San Marino 500 Lire 1982 - BiMetallic

Moneta — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 15:04:10 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: REPUBBLICA DI SAN MARINO. Along with the regular 500L. issue of Italy, 1982, these coins are the first regular issue coins made of bi-metallic composition. This coin features the three smoking towers of San Marino on the obverse. The reverse is a F.A.O. series coin showing people engaged in agriculture labor and is known a "Social Conquest" theme for S. Marino. The edge, like the Italian coin, has alternating smooth and reeded areas. This coin was designed by A. Biancini.

1 comment

Naples - Ferdinand of Aragon

Moneta — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 16:38:49 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: Italy - Naples (1458- 1494) AR Coronato of Ferdinand of Aragon (of Ferdinand and Isabella & Columbus fame). He had his own Kingdom of Aragon before his marriage to Isabella. This is a classic Renaissance portrait coin. Crowned bust of Ferdinand "C" behind. Rx: Large Cross as it has been depicted on the sails of Columbus. VF+ with slight flan clip. Rosenblum sale #34 E, Lot# 510 (Nov '04). B# 1673; C&C #1270. Ferdinando I d’Aragona (1458-1494), Coronato, Napoli, AR, (g 3,91, 26 mm). + FERDINANDVS:D:G:R⋅SICIL:IER⋅, striped cross, below C, Rv. :CORONATVS:QA:LEGITME:CERT:, bust of king r., wearing crown; at l. C. MIR 68/12; Pannuti-Riccio 15m. Old cabinet tone. good very fine.

Roman Republic - Ancona 1849

Moneta — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 13:14:37 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: Second Republic and the second break from Papal States' rule in Ancona. The first Republic of 1798 - 1799, inspired and aided by the French Revolution, saw re-strikes of Papal coinage during the siege and issues similar to the Roman Republic issues except with an "A" or Ancona included in the legend. This is an extremely nice specimen (better than KM) of this cast emergency coinage. OB: "REPUBBLICA ROMANA" with fasces topped with liberty cap. The 2nd Roman Republic was proclaimed on 9 Feb. 1849. 1849-A Baiocco, Ancona mint, of the Second Roman Republic which lasted from late 1848 when Pius IX fled (Dec 9) to Gaeta until July 1849 when French (and/or Austrian) troops restored the pope.

Roman Republic 1799 - 2 Baiocchi

Moneta — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 10:12:01 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: Iconic issue of the 1st phase Revolutionary period corresponding to the parent revolution in France. Nice example. OB: REPVBBLICA ROMANA w/ TM below; Rx: DVE/BAIOC/CHI

Venice 5 Centesimi 1849

Moneta — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 09:58:53 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: Venice Revolutionary issue of 1849. All of these are one year types of 1848 or 1849.

Venice Centesimo 1849 Revolution

Moneta — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 09:51:15 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: Example of the 1 Centesimo coin of the Revolutionary years of 1848 - 49. Mintmark of ZV

Venice - Revolution 1849

Moneta — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:56:47 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: The Revolution of 1848-49 was part of the many revolutions throughout Europe during these two years. Eventually I'll publish a history of these revolutions and how they are tied together. You have to love the scowl of these Venetian Winged Lions of St. Mark. This 3 Centesimi piece had 1.044 M struck for the only year of 1849.

Venice - Revolution 1848

Moneta — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:49:10 -0800

Roman Republic 1849

Moneta — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 13:34:06 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: A gorgeous example of a neo-classical design struck during the 1848/49 Revolutionary period under the Papal States. Powerful imagery of the eagle on a large fasces. Original surfaces and very nice condition, the largest denomination of this scarce copper series. Listed in KM under Roman Republic, Papal City States - Vatican, these are hard to find physically and well as in the SCWC (KM). This location began during the short lived inspiration of the French Revolution (1798-99), reappeared in 1814, and again in 1848-49. Coins were struck in Bologna and Rome.

Italy - Lombardy 1848

Moneta — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 13:08:23 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: Italian States: Lombardy - Venetia issue of the Revolutionary Provisional Government. Only year of issue during the European wide revolutions of 1848 (& 1849). There are three varieties of these under a combined mintage of 120k. Struck in Milan, this example is the short stems above date variety with star close to crown.

Dalmatia & Albania, 2 Soldi - Venice 1691 - 1709

Moneta — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 18:01:18 -0800

by: Moneta

Description: Two Soldi (aka Gazetta). These were struck by Venice, an ally of the coastal area of the Adriatic Sea just east of Italy. These were stuck over a long period of time and are undated. OB: The lion of St. Mark with the legend "SAN MARC VEN" with "*II*" below. Rx: "DALMA ET ALBAN." The author of "DALMATIA ET ALBANIA", Soterios Gardiakos, had this to say about Albania in his preface: PREFACE One of the most difficult aspects of writing this book on the coins of Dalmatia et Albania has been to try and locate the actual geographical location that these coins were struck for by the Goverment of Venice. This proved quite a task for the 387 year span of these coins the Venetian occupied lands on the Dalmatian and 'Albanian' (Epirote) coasts waned and waxed according to the might of the arms of the Republic. The geographical area of Dalmatia was quite easy to locate for in Muir's New School Atlas of Universal History the Venetian holdings in Dalmatia are quite clearly shown. Searching for its Albanian holdings is another thing, for we find no Albania under Venetian rule. It then becomes apparent that to the Venetians Albania meant the Greek coast of Epirus stretching from Butrinto to Prevesa and probably including Vonitsa. Renaming Epirus to Albania is not an unusual thing for the Venetians, for they had a habit of renaming many of their occupied territories to suit their purposes, ie. Crete was called Candia. An interesting thing about these coins is that they can be considered as coins of several countries. The Venetians can and certainly consider it as their own coinage, artificial Albania of today can, and does, Dalmatia in Yugoslavia and Epirus in Greece can, but rarely do. These coins are in many respects similar to the coins issued by Britain for its possesions in which Britain considers it as British coinage, which it is, but they are also a part of that possesions coinage, and is also considered as its own, ie. India. Simply put the coins bearing the inscription DALMATIA ET ALBANIA are coins of more than one country. In closing it should be pointed that this book originally appeared as a series of articles in The Obol, A Journal of Hellenic, Byzantine and Balkan Numismatics, Vol. III No's 3&4, 5, 6, Vol. IV No. 1. Soterios Gardiakos Chicago, June 1970

Sardinia - Carlo Emanuele

Moneta — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 19:57:09 -0700

by: Moneta

Description: Portrait of Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia, father of Charles (Karlo) Emanuele. Reverse is a full-length figure of St. Maurice holding a flag. The Kingdon of Sardinia held portions of the Italian mainland in the province of the Piedmont. These areas were greatly involved in the French Revolutionary wars and changed hands on multiple occasions. OB: VICT AMED D G REX SARD Rx: S MAURITIUS PAT TOT DIT