20 Lire (Francs) Gold Coin - Italy

20 Lire Gold Coin | Italy 20 Francs LMU

The 20 Lire Gold Coin is a vintage gold bullion coin that was minted by the Kingdom of Italy between 1861 and 1927 and holds intrinsic, numismatic and historical value. They are frequently sought after by collectors and precious metal investors.

Introduced in advance of Italy joining the Latin Monetary Union, the lira was a direct continuation of previously issued lira denominations of Italian kingdoms. The 20 Lire Gold Coin from Italy can be a great way to stack low premium fractional gold coins.

20 Lire Gold Coin Highlights:

• Struck between 1861 and 1923.
• Contains .1867 Troy oz of approximate gold weight.
• Issued a face value of 20 Lire by the Kingdom of Italy.
• The obverse of the coin will display the reigning monarch of Italy at the time of the coin's minting.
• The reverse displays the coat of arms for the Kingdom of Italy, surrounded by a wreath;also inscribed with the face value and date
• Minted at various mints throughout Italy from 1861 to 1923.

The design varies depending on the year of mintage and feature a portrait of the reigning Italian king at the time of minting on the obverse. Amongst random year coins you may find the portraits of Victor Emmanuel II, Umberto I or Victor Emmanuel III on different coins. The reverse side often displays the Italian coat of arms and the denomination.

These 20 Lire Gold Coins from Italy are the same weight and dimensions as the more widely available French and Swiss 20 Franc counterparts. Fewer 20 Lire gold coins were minted than some other countries which has led to some relative scarcity of these coins which may help increase the numismatic premium over time.

These Lira gold coins represent a significant period in Italian history which featured the unification of Italy and the era of the Italian monarchy.  Various locations throughout Italy were responsible for issuing these coins, including Sardinia, Florence, Milan, Naples, and Turin.

Emmanuel II was the first King of Italy to be emblazened on the obverse of 20 Lire Gold Coins. His reign began in 1861 and lasted until his death in 1878.

From 1878 and 1900 the 20 Lire Gold Coins that were minted feature the bust of Umberto I. His reign began 1878 and lasted until he was assassinated by an anarchist in July 1900. During his reign, Umberto I oversaw Italys colonial expansion in the Horn of Africa and its Triple Alliance with the German Empire and Austria-Hungary.

The final King of Italy featured on 20 Lire Gold Coins is that of Victor Emmanuel III. He was the longest-reigning King of Italy. His kingdom began with the assasination of his father in July 1900 and lasted through two world wars, and the rise and fall of Italian Fascism.

On the reverse of all 20 Lire Gold Coins is the coat of arms for the Kingdom of Italy.

The simple depiction of the coat of arms includes the national seal of the kingdom with a crown atop the crossed shield. The shield is surrounded by olive and oak branches with the face value inscribed on the obverse.

Gold coins were produced by Latin Monetary Union throughout Europe from the mid-19th Century into the early 20th-century. 

Each 20 Lira Gold coin was produced to the same standards in the Latin Monetary Union as the 20 Francs, with an alloy containing .1867 troy ounces of gold. 

Potential Numismatic Value

As a vintage gold coin, some Italy 20 Lire Gold Coin may also carry numismatic value. Learn more about Italy 20 Lire Gold Coin Coin Values in our Bullion Coin Value Guide.

FindBullionPrices.com tracks prices from some of the most trusted and reputable online bullion dealers to help find the lowest prices on 20 Lire (Francs) Gold Coin - Italy .

The gold prices on our site for coins and bullion are updated hourly and adjusted with gold spot price. We give you the tools to compare prices of gold coins from well-reviewed bullion dealers.

Comparing prices for Gold Francs across multiple bullion dealers help to ensure that you pay the lowest price.

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