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1000 Lire 'grande M' Fascio - 2nd type
| Issuer | Banca d'Italia |
|---|---|
| Year | 1942-1943 |
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| In circulation to | 30 June 1953 |
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| Obverse description | The central vignette is dominated by an ornate, large decorative letter 'M' in intaglio, flanked by intricate guilloche work and elaborate Renaissance-style foliate borders. The bank name 'BANCA D'ITALIA' and denomination 'MILLE LIRE' are inscribed in bold letterpress across the centre, with a circular watermark void to the right. The four corners bear the 'IB' (Istituto Bancario) monogram and numeral '1000' counterparts, while the upper border carries a royal coat of arms flanked by allegorical figures. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | BANCA D'ITALIA MILLE LIRE PAGABILE A VISTA AL PORTATORE RIN. BARBETTI INV. E DIS. E. BALLARINI INC. |
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| Comments |
The "grande M" designation distinguishes this second-type from its predecessor by the enlarged M in the serial number prefix — a minor but catalogically critical distinction that collectors routinely miss. Barbetti designed the original plate years earlier; by the time this series was being signed and dated into 1942–43, Italy's wartime economy was deteriorating fast enough that these high-denomination notes were seeing real inflationary pressure in circulation.
Ballarini's intaglio work on this series is among the finer Italian wartime engraving, though few circulated examples survive in condition that shows it.