3 centesimi | |
---|---|
Coin from 1808 | |
General information | |
Country | |
Value |
0.03 lire |
Years |
1807–1813 |
Measurements and composition | |
Mass |
6.3 g |
Diameter |
23.5 mm |
Composition |
copper |
Appearance | |
Edge |
Four lines or plain |
Obverse |
Napoleon, year |
Reverse |
Iron Crown of Lombardy, value |
v · d · e |
The 3 centesimo coin was issued from 1807 to 1814 by Kingdom of Italy, a client state of the French Empire under Napoleon I, who served as both Emperor of France and King of Italy during the time period. It had a value equal to 0.03 lire or 0.6 soldi.
The coin is composed of copper. It weighs approximately 6.3 grams and measures 23.5 millimeters in diameter. The edges are either smooth or bear four lines. The obverse, designed and engraved by Italian sculptor Luigi Manfredini, features in its center a left-facing portrait of Napoleon, Emperor of France and King of Italy. Starting near the lower left of his likeness and extending along the coin's periphery to the other side of the coin is the Italian caption "NAPOLEONE IMPERATORE E RE", which translates to English as "Napoleon, Emperor and King". Directly below the illustration of Napoleon is the year of minting, flanked by an oil lamp representing Manfredini and either an anchor, oak branch, or pomegranate, respectively indicating production at the Venice, Bologna, and Milan mints. A radiated depiction of the Iron Crown of Lombardy, the ceremonial headpiece that was worn by Napoleon during his coronation as King of Italy, is displayed in the middle of the reverse. Around the coin's rim above is the state title "REGNO D'ITALIA" (English: "Kingdom of Italy"), while the value "3.CENTESIMI" and the mint mark are displayed below, with a "B" representing Bologna, an "M" signifying Milan, and a "V" indicating Venice. In total, at least 19,133,000 examples were produced: 2,968,000 at Bologna; 15,394,000 at Milan; and 771,000 at Venice. About 1,845,000 3 centesimo coins produced at Bologna in 1810 feature the date printed over an "1809", and about 845,000 from 1813 display the date over an "1808". About 2,798,000 of the coins from Milan minted in 1810 are of an overdated variety, with the date being printed over an "1809". Also, an unknown number of 1810-dated pieces from Venice show the date stamped over an "1800".
A copper 3 centesimo pattern coin was struck in Milan in 1806. It bears essentially the same designs as the subsequent 3 centesimo coins that entered circulation.
References
- Numismatic Guaranty Corporation website
- Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic) on the English Wikipedia
- Numismatica Italiana – 3 centesimi
Napoleonic lira | |
---|---|
Lira coins | ₤1 • ₤2 • ₤5 • ₤20 • ₤40 |
Centesimo coins | 1 centesimo • 2 centesimi • 3 centesimi • 10 centesimi • 25 centesimi |
Soldo coins | 1 soldo • 5 soldi • 10 soldi • 15 soldi |
Miscellaneous | Bologna Mint • Luigi Manfredini • Milan Mint • Venice Mint |