So just today I was browsing the Italy section of the catalog, and noticed a lot of higher denomination coins from Mussolini's fascist era (1922-1943), both commemoratives or not, can be very hard to find, ranging from a reasonable amount (1928 20 Lire), to ones that are very rare and cost thousands of euros (1936 50 Lire, 1936-41 20 lire, 1914 5 Lire etc.)
Was this just the fascists flexing their muscles in the field of numismatics, or someone at the Italian Mint being very fond of commemorative coins?
Its an unestablished fact of mine that harsh regimes produce great coins. Fascist Italy, National Socialist Germany and the Soviet Union produced some of the 20th century's greatest coins. I'm sure there's a message in there somewhere but I'm not sure what it is. "Vote totalitarian and get great coins!" maybe?
The same is true of their stamps, banknotes, architecture, poster art and of course their military uniforms.
Non illegitimis carborundum est. Excellent advice for all coins.
Make Numismatics Great Again!
I encountered the same issue as well. Even the 1927 10 Lire is more in demand than a comparable silver coin of that era. To my understanding most of the 20 Lire coins were melted.
Totalitarian regimes live on their use of symbols as a constant reminder of who's in power. The artwork is great but also spooky if it would be all around me. I am sure I would have detested it as a disgusting taste of the oppressing masses if I was living under such circumstances.
Quote: "CassTaylor"So just today I was browsing the Italy section of the catalog, and noticed a lot of higher denomination coins from Mussolini's fascist era (1922-1943), both commemoratives or not, can be very hard to find, ranging from a reasonable amount (1928 20 Lire), to ones that are very rare and cost thousands of euros (1936 50 Lire, 1936-41 20 lire, 1914 5 Lire etc.)
Was this just the fascists flexing their muscles in the field of numismatics, or someone at the Italian Mint being very fond of commemorative coins?
I think that a lot of the higher denomination coins were hoarded by those fleeing the regime when it began to crumble. I know that there have been reports of Nazi silver being discovered in bunkers in Argentina when the top ranking Nazis decided it was time to hightail it out of the country. Because of their high silver content I guess they would have been easy to melt down into bullion and be used to pay their way when they got to wherever they were fleeing to.
Victor Emmanuel second of Italy was known as the numismatist King. In addition to acquiring one of the greatest collections ever known (all in the caveau of the bank of Italy!), he patroned the creation of the Corpus Nummorum Italicorum. And was not a sporadic visitor to the mint. He personally picked the designs for a nu,ber of his coins. The nicer pieces usually predate the fascist regime, although some very aesthetically pleasing pieces were also made later.
Loruca
EDIT: In addition to a great number of commemoratives, most later date gold coinage did not circulate, and was sold at a high premium by the mint to collectors.
I collect anything: If it's Italian or Italian states i collect it even more!
VEII? The one who reigned as the 1st King of Italy after its unification?
I was initially thinking you were speaking about VEIII, the king contemporary of Mussolini, instead...
Administrateur du catalogue, référent de nombreuses nations antiques et de la Lorraine.
Catalogue administrator, numerous Antique nations and Lorraine referee.
Quote: "chomp-master"VEII? The one who reigned as the 1st King of Italy after its unification?
I was initially thinking you were speaking about VEIII, the king contemporary of Mussolini, instead...
WHOOPS! My mistype! it is the third. don't know what i was writing!
Loruca
I collect anything: If it's Italian or Italian states i collect it even more!
Administrateur du catalogue, référent de nombreuses nations antiques et de la Lorraine.
Catalogue administrator, numerous Antique nations and Lorraine referee.
