The 1923 1 Lira coin from Italy, minted in Rome, is an early post-WWI issue representing a symbolic era of national rebuilding under King Victor Emmanuel III. Composed of nickel and weighing 8 grams, this standard circulation coin blends neoclassical art with patriotic motifs.
On the obverse, a draped female figure symbolizing Italia is seated and facing left. She holds a small statue of winged Victory in her lowered left hand and an olive branch in her outstretched right hand. The legend "ITALIA" appears above, with the date "1923" and the names G. ROMAGNOLI and A. MOTTI INC. below the figure.
The reverse shows the inscription "BVONO DA L.1" arranged over two lines, meaning "Good for 1 Lira". To the left, a crowned Savoy shield emphasizes Italy’s royal house. The mintmark "R" is placed below, all within a border of detailed laurel branches symbolizing honor and victory.
Design details:
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Obverse: Seated female figure with Victory and olive branch, date and artist names below
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Reverse: "BVONO DA L.1", crowned shield, laurel wreath border, mintmark "R"
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Designers: Giuseppe Romagnoli and Attilio Motti
Specifications:
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Country: Italy 🇮🇹
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Year: 1923
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Face Value: 1 Lira (1 ITL)
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Mint: Rome (R)
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Material: Nickel
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Weight: 8.0 g
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Diameter: 26.5 mm
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Thickness: 1.96 mm
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Edge: Reeded
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Shape: Round
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Orientation: Coin alignment ↑↓
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Type: Standard circulation coin
This coin is a popular piece for collectors of early 20th-century European coinage, Italian monarchy-era designs, and symbolic allegorical art in numismatics. Its strong imagery and historic context make it a highlight in any pre-Euro Italian collection.
