Expert: Brad Swain - 4/16/2010

Question
On the front of the coin there is a guys head shot. On one side it says D.ITALIA and on the other side it says VITT.EM.III.RE. On the back it has some kind of emperor guy sitting and four lions are standing below him. Above the picture is the word AEQVITAS and below the picture the date reads 1920 and below that it says C.50. What kind of coin is it and how much is it worth?

Answer
Hi Naomi, There were 29.5 million of these nickel Italian 50 centesimi coins minted that year in Rome (R). It features King Vittorio Emanuele III (1900-46) and Aequitae, the goddess of truth and justice, in a chariot being pulled by four lions.
Collector value may be worth about .25 with heavy wear to around $2 with moderate wear to maybe $6 with light wear if it has a plain edge and about .50, $14, $180 in the same conditions as listed above if it has a reeded edge.
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