Catalog
| Issuer | Italian Somaliland |
|---|---|
| Year | 1909-1924 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 2 Bese (0.02) |
| Currency | Rupia (1893-1925) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 5 g |
| Diameter | 25 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | |
| Engraver(s) | Luigi Giorgi |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | KM#2 |
| Obverse description | Half-bust of Vittorio Emanuele III facing left. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering |
VITTORIO·EMANVELE·III·RE·D` ITALIA L.GIORGI (Translation: Vittorio Emanuele III King of Italy) |
| Reverse description | Value in Arabic and Italian in circle surrounded by name of ruling authority in Arabic and Italian. |
| Reverse script | Arabic, Latin |
| Reverse lettering | الصومال الإيطالي ١ بيزا 2 BESE 1924 R SOMALIA ITALIANA |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Mint |
R Rome, Italy (476-date) |
| Mintage |
1909 R - - 500 000 1910 R - - 250 000 1913 R - - 300 000 1921 R - - 600 000 1923 R - - 500 000 1924 R - - 1 000 000 |
| Numisquare ID | 6629286530 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The 2 Bese coin, issued for Italian Somaliland under Victor Emmanuel III, represents a crucial phase of Italian colonial administration in East Africa. Victor Emmanuel III, a keen numismatist, ensured high standards for coinage across his realm and territories. This issue, spanning 1909-1924, reflects Italy's consolidation of power and its efforts to establish a standardized currency system within the protectorate, replacing disparate local tenders with a distinctly Italian colonial monetary identity.
Artistry: The design adheres to the neoclassical realism prevalent in early 20th-century European coinage. While the specific engraver for this colonial issue is often uncredited, the style is consistent with master die-sinkers like Giuseppe Romagnoli. The obverse typically features a dignified bare head portrait of the monarch, facing left, conveying authority. The reverse design displays the denomination "2 BESE" in both Italian and Arabic, along with the date and a symbolic representation of Italian sovereignty, often the Savoyard shield or colonial eagle.
Technical/Grading: Struck in bronze (5g, 25mm), this coin's high-points for grading include the highest strands of hair and the ear on the obverse portrait. On the reverse, critical areas for detail retention are the crown (if present), the central elements of any heraldic device, and the crispness of the dual-language inscriptions. Collectors should seek examples with a strong, even strike, free from planchet imperfections or significant environmental damage, which is common for bronze colonial issues circulated in challenging climates.