The 20 lire “Marengo” is Italy’s classic gold coin — struck to the exact Latin Monetary Union standard as the French 20 francs, beginning with the very first year of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. Collectors hunt the Vittorio Emanuele II first issues (the money of unification itself) through Umberto I and Vittorio Emanuele III. This entry covers the series’ specs, mints, and the famous low-mintage 1861 Turin issue.
Key facts
- Specifications: 6.45g total weight, .900 fine gold, 21mm diameter — identical to the French 20 francs; 0.1867 oz actual gold content.
- Vittorio Emanuele II issues struck 1861–1874 (Turin “T”, Rome “R” from 1870, Milan “M” 1872–1875).
- The 1861 Turin inaugural issue is documented at only 3,267 pieces — a recognized key date of the series.
- The Marengo name comes from the Napoleonic-era battle; the denomination’s standard was carried across the Latin Monetary Union.