Papal States
The Papal States were largely incorporated into a united Italy in 1860. In 1866, it was in negotiations to join the LMU. Those negotiations failed but the Papal States adopted the lire and the LMU denominations anyway. In 1870, France was preoccupied with its war with Prussia and withdrew its protection of Rome. A united Italy took this opportunity to annex the remainder of the Papal States, which became extinct after over 1,000 years.
The Papal States lire were all minted under Pius IX. The obverse states the year of pontifical rule (i.e., 1867 can be XXI or XXII).
The 5 lire was minted in both gold and silver. It was one of the few examples of LMU coinage where the same denomination was minted in both gold and silver (Napoleon III and Vittorio II are the only other instances)
Circulation Coins
Certain images are clickable for more detail
100 Lire
(XXI, XXIII-XXIV)
50 Lire
(XXII-XXIV)
20 Lire
(Small Bust, XX-XXI)
20 Lire
(Medium Bust, “PON”, XXII-XXIII)
20 Lire
(Large Bust, “PIVX IX PON”, XXIII-XXV)
10 Lire
(Large Bust, “P.”, XXIII-XXV)
10 Lire
(Small Bust, PON, XXI-XXII)
5 Lire
(Small Bust, XXI-XXII)
5 Lire
2 1/2 Lire
2 Lire
(Small Bust)
2 Lire
(Medium Bust)
1 Lira
(Small Bust, XX)
1 Lira
(Medium Bust)
1 Lira
(Large Bust, “M” Obverse, Dots Between PON)
1 Lira
(Large Bust, “MAX” Obverse, No Dots Between PON)
10 soldi (1/2 lira)
(“PON” Obverse)
10 soldi (1/2 lira)
(“P” Obverse)
5 soldi (1/4 lira)
(XXI-XXII)
Placeholder: Mintage data by denominaton
Error in NGC & PCGS Population Registry
The is a 20 lire variation in both the NGC and PCGS population reports that does not exists. Inconsistencies or errors in the NGC and PCGS population reports are not uncommon. However, this error is unusual as it’s rather glaring and appears in both populations.
As shown above, the 20 lire has three busts (KM#1382.2, KM#1382.3, KM#1382.4). The mistake originated in the Krause book, which states that KM#1382.3 (medium bust) includes 1868.
NGC: 1868 XXIII “PON” (Medium Bust) and “PIVS IX PON” (Large Bust)”
Note: KM# 1382.1 refers to a flat/smooth-edge 1866 XX. It is unclear whether this variation actually exists. There is only graded example and the edges are not visible in the certification pictures.