The Italy 20 Lire coins minted between 1958 and 1979 hold historical and numismatic significance. These coins were part of the Italian Lira currency before the country transitioned to the Euro in 2002. The 20 Lire coin from this period underwent some design variations while maintaining its general characteristics. During this period, Italy was experiencing rapid economic growth, known as the Italian Economic Miracle, which transformed it into an industrial powerhouse. These coins remained in circulation until the late 20th century.
Design and Features
The 20 Lire coins from this era were struck in aluminum-bronze, giving them a distinctive golden appearance. They measured 21.25 mm in diameter and had a weight of 3.6 grams. The coin's composition and size made it durable and easy to handle.
Obverse Design
The obverse featured a laurel-crowned bust of Italia, symbolizing the nation's unity and strength. Surrounding the portrait was the inscription "REPVBBLICA ITALIANA" (Italian Republic), emphasizing the country’s democratic identity after World War II.
Reverse Design
The reverse design commonly displayed an oak branch with leaves and acorns, representing strength and endurance. The denomination “L.20” was prominently placed alongside the mint mark “R” for the Rome Mint. Some years also included a small engraver's signature.
Historical Context and Minting
The 20 Lire coin was first introduced in 1957, but the widespread circulation of this particular design began in 1958
when the Bronzital or Aluminum Bronze was used for the first time for this coin. In addition to copper, it contained 7.5 to 8.5 parts of aluminum and 0.3 to 0.6 parts of titanium.
Titanium made the processing of the alloy difficult and for this reason titanium was no longer used after the 1958 coin production making more valuable the titanium coins. This 1958 coin is a valuable and prize addition to any coin collection.
As described above, this 1958 20 Lire coin with R (Rome) mint mark, has an attractive design and composition, historical significance, and their collectibility make them a favorite among collectors of Italian currency.