Catalog
| Issuer | Italy |
|---|---|
| Year | 1861-1867 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1 Centesimo (0.01 ITL) |
| Currency | Lira (1861-2001) |
| Composition | Bronze (Cu 96%, Sn 4%) |
| Weight | 1 g |
| Diameter | 15 mm |
| Thickness | 0.80 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Engraver(s) | Giuseppe Ferraris |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | KM#1 |
| Obverse description | Head of King Vittorio Emanuele II left and the engraver`s initial below the neck |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering |
VITTORIO EMANUELE II RE D`ITALIA F. (Translation: Vittorio Emanuele II King of Italy F.) |
| Reverse description | Value and date within two branches, one of laurel and the other of oak and the Star of Italy above and mintmark below. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | 1 CENTESIMO 1867 M |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Mint |
M Milan, Italy N Naples, Italy T Turin, Italy |
| Mintage |
1861 M - KM#1.1 - 26 720 000 1861 M - KM#1.1; inverted `M` - 1861 N - KM#1.2 - 48 280 000 1862 N - KM#1.2; overdate variety exists - 37 499 936 1866 N - KM#1.2; unconfirmed - 1867 M - KM#1.1 - 72 758 532 1867 T - KM#1.3 - 5 000 000 |
| Numisquare ID | 5005562940 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The 1 Centesimo of Victor Emmanuel II, issued 1861-1867, is profoundly significant as the inaugural coinage of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy. Victor Emmanuel II, proclaimed King in 1861, marked the Risorgimento's culmination. This coin symbolizes the economic and political consolidation of the nascent Italian state, replacing regional currencies with a single national standard. It represents a tangible assertion of Italian sovereignty and national identity, embodying the new kingdom's formation.
Artistry: The 1 Centesimo's design reflects the prevalent Neoclassical style of 19th-century European coinage. While specific engraver attribution is often generalized to the Royal Mint of Turin, the influence of Giuseppe Ferraris is evident. The obverse features a dignified bare head portrait of Victor Emmanuel II facing left, projecting regal authority. The reverse displays the crowned Savoy shield, emblematic of the ruling house, encircled by a laurel wreath, signifying victory. The overall design is clear, balanced, and conveys national unity.
Technical/Grading: Struck in bronze (96% copper, 4% tin), this small 15mm, 1-gram coin presents specific grading considerations. High-points for wear include the hair details and ear on the obverse, and the intricate elements of the crown and Savoy shield on the reverse. Early strikes can exhibit weakness, particularly in finer hair strands and delicate wreath details. Collectors should also assess lettering and date sharpness. Bronze coinage is prone to environmental toning and surface imperfections, impacting overall eye appeal.