Expert: Brad Swain - 11/16/2009

Question
Brad,
I read your answer to Pamela dated 12/15/2008 about the 1921 c.20 Italian coin and want to know if you can tell me: who is the "flying lady" who seems to be holding a torch, what is the story behind her and also: is the man on the other side King Vittorio Emanuele III or is he someone else?  I have a beautiful necklace made from this coin and would love some background or at least a direction to go looking for it. Thanks so much for your time.

Answer
Hi Sarah, this nickel 20 centesimi features a 'classical' head (not the king) and 'Italia' victorious floating in the air with a torch. There were 50.4 million minted that year in Rome (R). Collector value may be worth about .10 with heavy wear to around $2 with moderate wear to maybe $6 with light wear.
You might try Ebay.com for similar pieces for comparison.
If a coin has been damaged by becoming part of the jewelry or cannot be separated from the jewelry without damage then its value lies in the piece of jewelry and not as a coin.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Brad