With the founding of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, the lira (100 centesimi) became the national currency, built on the French germinal standard — Italy joined the Latin Monetary Union in 1865. The lira ran until 31 December 2001, converting at 1€ = 1,936.27 lire; euro cash followed in 2002 with a different national design on every denomination.
Denominations
5 Lire “Delfino” (Dolphin) (1951–1998)
- Issued: 1951–1998 (Republic of Italy)
- Composition: aluminum, ~1 g, 20.2 mm, plain edge (Rome mint, “R”)
- Key dates: condition is the value driver across this long date run — most circulated heavily, so high-grade examples carry the premiums
- Notable varieties: obverse ship’s rudder with REPVBBLICA ITALIANA; reverse dolphin; designed by Giuseppe Romagnoli (KM92)
In this wiki:
Value: Check live sold listings on the linked guide before buying or pricing.
20 Lire Gold “Marengo” (1861–1927)
- Issued: 1861–1927 (Kingdom of Italy; Vittorio Emanuele II, Umberto I, Vittorio Emanuele III)
- Composition: .900 fine gold, 6.45 g, 21 mm — identical to the French 20 francs (0.1867 oz actual gold weight)
- Key dates: the 1861 Turin inaugural issue is documented at only 3,267 pieces — a recognized key date of the series
- Notable varieties: Vittorio Emanuele II issues struck 1861–1874 at Turin (“T”), Rome (“R”, from 1870), and Milan (“M”, 1872–1875); portrait changes across the three reigns
- Mintage highlights: 3,267 for the 1861 Turin inaugural issue (documented)
In this wiki:
Value: Check live sold listings on the linked guide before buying or pricing. For metal value, use the melt calculator.
500 Lire Bimetallic (1982–2001)
- Issued: 1982–2001 (proof strikings for collectors from 1985)
- Composition: bimetallic — bronzital center, acmonital (stainless steel) outer ring; 6.8 g, 25.8 mm
- Key dates: the coin that proved two-metal coinage could circulate, paving the way for the bimetallic €1 and €2; commemorative issues (e.g., Bank of Italy centennial 1993, Luca Pacioli 1994, European Parliament elections 1999) carry the collector interest
- Notable varieties: obverse winged head by Laura Cretara with signature variants; value also rendered in Braille — the only Italian coin to use Braille. An earlier 500 lire series in silver (1958–1967, “Caravelle” type) preceded the bimetallic coin
In this wiki:
Value: Check live sold listings on the linked guide before buying or pricing.
Italian Euro Coins (2002–)
- Issued: 2002–date (euro book money 1999; cash 2002)
- Composition: standard euro circulating compositions by denomination
- Key dates: early dates and commemorative €2 issues are what collectors hunt
- Notable varieties: a different national design on every denomination — Italy’s euro set is one of the most collected national sets in the eurozone; commemorative €2 coins are legal tender across the euro area
In this wiki:
Value: Check live sold listings on the linked guide before buying or pricing.
Bullion & modern issues
Italy issues no dedicated modern bullion coin. The 20 Lire “Marengo” gold above is the de facto bullion-weight Italian gold coin — its 0.1867 oz of .900 gold trades near melt when worn and carries a collector premium in high grade.
In this wiki:
Value: Check live sold listings on the linked guide before buying or pricing. For metal value, use the melt calculator.
Values move; always check live sold listings on the linked guides. Key dates and high-value pieces require authentication.
Values move — always check sold listings on the linked entries before buying or pricing. Key dates and high-value gold (especially the Marengo) warrant certified examples, and the 1861 Turin Marengo is the issue most likely to be counterfeited.
Europe Red Book v2 research chapter, published September 15, 2026. Values are intentionally excluded; use authenticated sold-market evidence.