1 Lira Prehistoric Arts

San Marino's annual lira sets from the 1990s were produced almost entirely for collectors rather than circulation, and the 1997 prehistoric arts theme was part of a multi-denomination series issued in that vein. Mintage figures for these late-series aluminum lire were tightly controlled — San Marino had been issuing collector-targeted coin sets since the early 1970s, a program made possible by its monetary agreement with Italy allowing independent coinage rights despite using the Italian lira as its functional currency.

The agreement lapsed with Italy's adoption of the euro, making 1997 one of the final years of substantive San Marinese lira production.