Expert: Brad Swain - 11/18/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have three italian coins, first is from 1939 on reverse a imprint of an eagle with wigs spread apart.other side reads VITT EM 111 RE E IMP WITH FACE OF MAN.LIKE NEW CONDITION----second is from 1949 one side has a branch with leaves also at bottom L 10 other side has flying horse with wings, at bottom of coin reads REPVBBLICA ITALIANA, its in very good condition. third coin is from 1954 one side has a whale with a large 5 with a small letter R, other side REPVBBLICA ITALIANA, although the coin is in good condition,I dont know what the illustration is. CAN YOU TELL ME ARE THE COINS RARE,WHAT THE ORIGINAL VALUE OF EACH COIN IN AMERICAN MONEY AND WHAT IS THE COLLECTOR VALUE IS, IN AMERICAN MONEY.  THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.  SAM

ANSWER: Hi Sam, Collector value of a coin depends on date, denomination, mint mark (if any), number minted and condition of a coin, including amount of wear, any dents, scratches or cleaning as well as collector demand for it.
All these coins were worth less than a dollar each in their times.
1939 5 centesimi, bronze or aluminum-bronze (gold colored)? features King Vittorio Emanuele III (1900-46). Collector value may be worth about .10 with heavy wear to around .50 with moderate wear to maybe $2 with light wear.
1949 10 Lire, aluminum, features Pegasus and an olive branch, .15, $1, $5 in the conditions listed above.
1954 5 Lire, aluminum, feature a ship rudder and a dolphin, .10 .25, .50 in the conditions listed above.
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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I would like to give you a little more information on the 1939 coin. It isn't bronze or aluminum bronze, it is a heavy silver. the side with the man's face, between the letter P in IMP, and the letter V in VITT is very small type that easily reads G. ROMAGNOLI. on the side of the eagle at the bottom of the coin, it reads L 2 and to the right of the 2 it reads XV111,below that is a mint mark within the letter R. I should have given you this information the first time, sorry. this coin is in like new condition. I hope you will take the the time to re-evaluate the collector value of this coin in American money. thanks again, sam

Answer
Hi Sam, There were 4.873 million of these stainless steel 2 Lire coins minted that year in Rome (R) featuring the king. Collector value may be worth about .25 with heavy wear to around $1 with moderate wear to maybe $4 with light wear if non-magnetic and about .25, .90, $2.50 if magnetic in the same conditions as above. The XVIII is the year since the fascist party started governing. Romagnoli is the designer's name.
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