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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/What is it & what might it be worth

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Expert: - 1/18/2011


Question
I have a 29mm coin with the picture of Victor Emanuel on the obverse. It has the color of brass. It is dated 1928.
On the reverse is naked man on a rearing horse, holding a faces upright. Underneath the horse's raised forelegs it reads "Lre Due"
The reverse leged reads "CAPO.DEL.GOVERNO.BENITO.MUSSOLINI. Underneathm the horse it reads in small letters.: VALEVOLE /.NELL'INTERNO / DELLA FIERA / ESPOSIZIONE DI MILANO / E CONVERTIBILE DALLA FIERA IN / VALVTA LEGALE SINQAL / 19 CIVGNO A.VI.
The obverse legend reads: REGNANDO VITTORIO . EMANVELLE . III,
with yhe king facing right.
I've had this about 30 years and have always wondered what it is.
Any help you could give me is appreciated.
Best regards,
Joe

Answer

Hi Joe,
This is a medallic coin - a medal that could also have been spent as a 2 lire coin if the owner chose to do so. They are made of base metal with gold gilding. The gilding often wears off and reveals the base metal color beneath, which would be either brass or bronze.
They are fairly scarce and bring decent money in good shape. I have not seen the condition of your piece, but the one in the picture I attached is a high grade example and being retailed in Europe for around $130.
Thanks for the question! =)
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you very much for the information and confirming picture. Cheers, Joe


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Dmitry Livshits

Expertise

My specialty is world coins from the 18th to 20th centuries, primarily non-US foreign coins and related areas such as errors and exonumia (tokens, medals, etc.). I can answer questions relating to identification, grading, selling, preservation and evaluation of such items. In addition to catalog value, I can give you the practical market value and trends for specific types of coins. I will also take questions regarding counterfeits (both modern and antique) and on how to identify them. I am NOT knowledgeable in paper money/banknotes, ancient or "shipwreck" coins. Thank you.

Experience

Collector of world coins since early childhood. Access to a variety of auction records and reference material. You can also find me on Facebook.

Education/Credentials
A.S. in Psychology (2006), B.A. in Forensic Psychology (2008), M.A. in Forensic Psychology (2011).

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