20 Lire Italy Umberto I Gold Coin | 1879 - 1897

20 Lire Italy Umberto I (1879-1897) — Italian 20-franc coin of the Latin Monetary Union standard with the portrait of the second king of united Italy from the House of Savoy

The 20 Lire Italy Umberto I gold coin is a classic Italian 20-franc piece in the Latin Monetary Union (LMU) standard, struck at the Rome Mint (Zecca dello Stato Italiano, signature "R") between 1879 and 1897 — the reign of King Umberto I "Il Buono" (the Good) — the second king of united Italy from the House of Savoy, with a gross mass of 6.4516 g, a pure-gold mass of 5.80645 g, a 0.900 fineness (Crown-Gold-style alloy), a 21.0 mm diameter and a face value of 20 Italian lire as historic legal tender of the Kingdom of Italy. The obverse features the portrait of Umberto I (with beard and moustache, right profile) with the inscription UMBERTO I RE D'ITALIA and the year of striking, the reverse the Savoyard heraldic shield (white cross on a red background) in a laurel-oak wreath with a crown above the shield, REGNO D'ITALIA, L 20, year. The designer of the pattern is Filippo Speranza — medallist of the Rome Mint (Regia Zecca di Roma). Italy was a founding member of the Latin Monetary Union (23.12.1865) — the Italian lira had a 1:1 parity with the French franc, so 20 lire = 5.80645 g of pure gold = equivalent to 20 French francs. The coin is VAT-exempt in the EU as a legal-tender coin with 0.900 fineness struck after 1800, with a typical market premium of 5-10% over spot.

Technical specification

Why 20 Lire Umberto I deserves a place in your portfolio

• Italian LMU 20F — 1:1 parity with the French franc, founding member of the Latin Monetary Union: 20 Lire Umberto I is a classic Italian 20-franc LMU coin — 6.4516 g gross, 5.80645 g pure gold, 0.900 fineness, 21.0 mm diameter — identical to the specification of the 20F Marianne and Rooster (France) or the 20F Vreneli (Switzerland). Italy was a founding member of the LMU from 23.12.1865 — the Italian lira had an established 1:1 parity with the French franc, so 20 lire corresponded exactly to 20 francs (5.80645 g of gold). Full interchangeability with other LMU 20F coins in 19th-century European circulation.
• Portrait of Umberto I "Il Buono" — the second king of united Italy: Umberto I (1844-1900) — son of Victor Emmanuel II (the first king of united Italy 1861-1878) and the second king of united Italy (reign 1878-1900) — was known by the nickname "Il Buono" (the Good) due to personal acts of charity (among others, during the cholera epidemic in Naples in 1884 he personally visited the sick). The portrait of Umberto I (with beard and moustache, right profile) on 20 Lire is a characteristic image of Italian Risorgimento numismatics — the first generation of monarchs after the unification of Italy (1861).
• Savoyard heraldic shield and ruling dynasty: the reverse of the 20 Lire Umberto I features the Savoyard heraldic shield (white cross on a red background, a classic medieval symbol of the House of Savoy) with a crown above the shield, surrounded by a laurel-oak wreath. The House of Savoy ruled united Italy from 1861 (Victor Emmanuel II) to 1946 (Humbert II) — 85 years of monarchy, ended by the referendum of 2 June 1946 when Italians chose the republic. The Savoyard shield is a classic medieval European heraldic symbol — the white cross on a red background derives from the Savoyard banners of the 11th-12th centuries.
• Rome Mint (Regia Zecca di Roma) — signature "R": 20 Lire Umberto I was struck at the Rome Mint (Regia Zecca di Roma, signature "R" on the coin) — the mint of united Italy taken over from the Papal State in 1870 (Rome became the capital of united Italy after the occupation by Piedmontese troops on 20.09.1870). Earlier 20 Lire (1861-1878 Victor Emmanuel II) was struck at various mints (Turin, Milan, Naples, Florence), but from 1879 production was centralised in Rome. The "R" signature identifies the central mint of the Italian state.
• Market premium 5-10% over spot — very good value for an Italian LMU 20F: 20 Lire Umberto I has a typical premium of 5-10% over spot — higher than the most popular LMU 20F coins (Vreneli 2-5%, Marianne and Rooster 3-6%) due to smaller mintages and specific Italian historic status (Risorgimento, House of Savoy). The premium reflects the balance between historic value and accessible bullion — for an investor building an international LMU 20F portfolio (France + Belgium + Switzerland + Italy), the Italian 20 Lire Umberto I is an indispensable element.

History of 20 Lire Umberto I (1879-1897) — Italian LMU 20F of the second king of united Italy

Italy was unified in 1861 — the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy (Regno d'Italia) took place on 17 March 1861 after the victory of the Risorgimento (Resurgence) — the 19th-century independence and unification movement. The first king of united Italy was Victor Emmanuel II (Vittorio Emanuele II) from the House of Savoy — the earlier King of Sardinia-Piedmont (1849-1861). Rome remained under the control of the Papal State until 20 September 1870, when Piedmontese troops entered the city (Breccia di Porta Pia) and Rome was annexed to united Italy. The capital was moved from Florence to Rome in 1871.

Italy was a founding member of the Latin Monetary Union (LMU) — the founding treaty signed on 23 December 1865 in Paris included France, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy. The Italian lira (introduced in 1861 as the currency of united Italy replacing the Sardinian lira, the Neapolitan scudo, the Lombardy-Venetian lira and other local currencies of the Apennine Peninsula) had an established 1:1 parity with the French franc — 1 lira = 1 franc = 0.290 g of pure gold. 20 lire = 5.80645 g of pure gold = equivalent to 20 French francs — full interchangeability in LMU circulation.

Umberto I (1844-1900) — son of Victor Emmanuel II (reign 1861-1878) and the second king of united Italy — ascended the throne on 9 January 1878 after his father's death. Umberto I was already 34 years old when he was crowned — previously (1868) he married Princess Margherita of Savoy-Genoa (Margherita di Savoia, his first cousin — the canonical impediment was ultimately waived). One son was born from the marriage — the future Victor Emmanuel III (reign 1900-1946).

The reign of Umberto I (1878-1900) was characterised by moderate political conservatism (continuation of Victor Emmanuel II's policy), the strengthening of Italy's position on the international stage (Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary 1882, colonial expansion in East Africa — Eritrea and Somalia) and the industrialisation of the country (development of industry in Lombardy, Piedmont and Tuscany). Umberto I had the nickname "Il Buono" (the Good) due to personal acts of charity — among others, during the cholera epidemic in Naples in 1884 he personally visited the sick in hospitals, risking his life.

Umberto I was assassinated on 29 July 1900 in Monza (Lombardy) by the anarchist Gaetano Bresci — an Italian-American anarchist who specifically came from the United States to Italy to kill the king. The reason for the assassination was the brutal military intervention during the "Bava Beccaris massacre" in Milan on 6-9 May 1898 (General Fiorenzo Bava Beccaris ordered cannons to be fired on a crowd of protesting workers, killing 80-100 people) — Umberto I decorated the general with an order for suppressing the protests. Umberto I's successor was his son Victor Emmanuel III (reign 1900-1946), who survived both world wars and abdicated on 9 May 1946 — shortly before the referendum that abolished the Italian monarchy. 20 Lire Umberto I (1879-1897) was struck for 19 years — after 1897 production was reduced due to decreased demand, and from 1900 (Umberto's death) was replaced by a new design with the portrait of Victor Emmanuel III.

Obverse — portrait of Umberto I by Filippo Speranza

The obverse of the 20 Lire Umberto I coin features the portrait of King Umberto I — the second king of united Italy — in right profile, with characteristic beard and moustache (typical Italian style of the 19th century), with hair combed back. Umberto I is depicted without a crown — bareheaded, as a constitutional monarch (in contrast to medieval crowned kings). Around the portrait runs the inscription UMBERTO I RE D'ITALIA (Umberto I King of Italy) in a semicircle from the top, and under the portrait the year of striking (e.g. 1882, 1885, 1893). The artist's signature "SPERANZA" is visible under the portrait.

The obverse designer is Filippo Speranza — Italian medallist and engraver of the Rome Mint (Regia Zecca di Roma) of the second half of the 19th century. Speranza was one of the main medallists of united Italy — the author of numerous commemorative medals and circulating coins of Victor Emmanuel II (1861-1878) and Umberto I (1878-1900). Speranza's style featured classical Italian portrait realism — faithful reproduction of the monarch's facial features (beard, moustache, shape of the nose, eyes) without idealisation, in contrast to the French allegorical Marianne or the Belgian idealised Leopold II. The portrait of Umberto I on 20 Lire is a hallmark of Italian Risorgimento numismatics.

Umberto I "Il Buono" (the Good, 1844-1900) — the second king of united Italy from the House of Savoy — always had an identical image on the coins (with beard and moustache, right profile), unchanged during the 22 years of his reign (1878-1900). This contrasts with the French LMU 20F, where designs changed with regime changes (Napoleon III bare head vs head with laurel wreath, Angel Dupré vs Marianne and Rooster Chaplain). Italian 19th-century monarchical numismatics maintained greater image stability — the portrait of the monarch remained unchanged throughout the entire reign.

The characteristic beard and moustache of Umberto I are part of a broader trend in men's fashion of the second half of the 19th century — most European monarchs of this period were bearded (Wilhelm I of Germany, Edward VII of Great Britain, Alexander III of Russia, Franz Joseph I of Austria). The beard symbolised masculinity, authority and maturity — in contrast to the 18th-century portraits of monarchs (cleanly shaved faces with powdered wigs). Umberto I followed the trend of his epoch, continuing the style of his father Victor Emmanuel II (also bearded), which strengthened the visual continuity of the Savoyard dynasty in Italian numismatics.

Reverse — Savoyard heraldic shield in a laurel-oak wreath

The reverse of the 20 Lire Umberto I coin features the Savoyard heraldic shield (white Greek cross on a red background, a classic medieval symbol of the House of Savoy) in the central composition, with a royal crown above the shield and a laurel-oak wreath surrounding the whole. Around the shield runs the inscription REGNO D'ITALIA (Kingdom of Italy) in a semicircle from the top, and on the sides of the shield appears the face value L 20 (abbreviation for "Lire 20") and the year of striking. The mint signature "R" (Rome Mint) is discreetly placed next to the date.

The Savoyard heraldic shield (white Greek cross on a red background, with equal arms) is a classic medieval symbol of the House of Savoy (Casa di Savoia) — the dynasty that ruled Savoy from the 11th century. The founder of the dynasty was Humbert I "the White-handed" (Umberto Biancamano) — Count of Savoy c. 1003-1047/1048 — from whom the continuous dynastic line descends to Humbert II (reign 1946) and his successors (Victor Emmanuel of Savoy-Carignano, current pretender to the Italian throne, born 1937). The Savoyard shield with a white cross on a red background derives from the banners of the Savoyard crusaders of the 12th century (context of the Holy War — Crusades), although the exact date of adoption as a coat of arms is uncertain.

The House of Savoy ruled united Italy from 1861 (Victor Emmanuel II) to 1946 (Humbert II) — a total of 85 years of Italian monarchy. Sequence of kings: Victor Emmanuel II (1861-1878), Umberto I (1878-1900), Victor Emmanuel III (1900-1946), Humbert II (short reign May-June 1946). The monarchy was abolished by the referendum of 2 June 1946 (54.3% of votes for the republic, 45.7% for the monarchy) — Italy became a republic (Repubblica Italiana). The House of Savoy was banished from Italy by a constitutional law (XIII Transitional and Final Provisions of the Constitution of the Italian Republic of 1948) — a ban on the return of the descendants of Victor Emmanuel III, lifted only in 2002.

The crown above the Savoyard shield is the royal crown of Italy (Corona Ferrea — Iron Crown of Lombardy, also used by Napoleon I at his coronation as King of Italy in 1805). The laurel-oak wreath surrounding the shield is a classic European heraldic motif — laurel symbolises victory, oak — strength and durability. The face value L 20 (Lire 20, 20 lire) on the sides of the shield identifies the monetary value. The mint signature "R" (Rome Mint, Regia Zecca di Roma) indicates the centralisation of mint production in the capital of united Italy after 1879 (before 1879 — various regional mints).

What to look out for when buying

Check the vintage of the 20 Lire Umberto I coin — the issue was conducted for 19 years (1879-1897) with varying annual mintages. All vintages have an identical technical specification and identical design (portrait of Umberto I, Savoyard shield). The highest mintages were in the years 1880-1885 (several hundred thousand to a million pieces per year), the lowest — in the years 1890-1897 (under 100 000 pieces). Rarer vintages may have a higher collector value — typically +20-50% over mixed years for specific issues in UNC grades.

The market premium on 20 Lire Umberto I typically holds in the range of 5-10% over spot — higher than on the most popular LMU 20F coins (Vreneli 2-5%, Marianne and Rooster 3-6%) due to smaller series mintages (several million pieces vs 117 million Marianne and Rooster or 58 million Vreneli) and specific Italian historic status (Risorgimento, House of Savoy, the king-martyr murdered in Monza). For vintage collectors, specific vintages in UNC grades may have a premium of 50-100% over mixed years.

Check the mint of striking — all 20 Lire Umberto I (1879-1897) coins are struck exclusively at the Rome Mint (Regia Zecca di Roma, signature "R" on the coin). The absence of the "R" signature or another signature most likely indicates a counterfeit. Earlier 20 Lire of Victor Emmanuel II (1861-1878) were struck at various mints (Turin — signature "T", Milan — "M", Naples — "N", Florence — "F") — but from 1879 production was centralised in Rome after the transfer of the capital from Florence to Rome in 1871.

Check the condition of the coin and authenticity — 20 Lire Umberto I in the 0.900 alloy is harder than pure 999.9 gold, but after 125-145 years since striking retains typical circulation traces: light wear, fine scratches, natural surface patina. For an investment strategy, VF (Very Fine) and EF (Extremely Fine) grades are acceptable — sufficient to confirm authenticity and gold content. AU (About Uncirculated) and UNC (Uncirculated) grades are sought after by collectors and have a higher premium. Each coin is delivered in an individual protective capsule to preserve the surface.

Why GoldInvest24

• Full cross-section of coins of European monetary unions of the 19th/20th centuries: in our catalogue you will find all 5 coins of package 108 — 20F Marianne and Rooster (France), 20F Cérès Second Republic (France), 10F Marianne and Rooster (France), 20 Lire Umberto I (Italy), 20 Kroner Frederik VIII (Denmark) — which allows building an LMU + SMU portfolio with all 4 LMU founding states (France, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy) and the Scandinavian Monetary Union.
• Italian LMU 20F for a complete international portfolio: 20 Lire Umberto I offer in mixed-years format (various vintages 1879-1897) with a 5-10% premium over spot — the classic Italian LMU 20-franc coin, indispensable for building a complete international LMU 20F portfolio (France + Belgium + Switzerland + Italy). For collectors of the Risorgimento and the House of Savoy, specific vintages in AU/UNC grades are also available.
• PL / DE / EN language versions: full technical descriptions and specifications in three languages for convenient service of the Polish, German and international markets — particularly valuable for Italian Risorgimento coins with numismatic terminology in three languages (Italian Umberto I, German Umberto I., English Umberto I).
• Current precious-metals quotes: spot data for comparing offer prices with current market valuation — check the current precious-metals prices before purchase to assess the effective premium on Italian LMU coins.
• Full precious-metal categories in one shop: access to gold investment coins, bars, silver, platinum and palladium — all from a single customer account, with full PL/DE/EN support.

Comparison of 5 coins in package 108 — Marianne and Rooster, Cérès II Rep., 10F Marianne, Umberto I, Frederik VIII

See the entire gold investment coins category available at GoldInvest24.

FAQ — common questions about 20 Lire Italy Umberto I

What is the 20 Lire Italy Umberto I?

20 Lire Italy Umberto I is a classic Italian 20-franc coin of the Latin Monetary Union standard, struck at the Rome Mint between 1879 and 1897 with a gross mass of 6.4516 g, a pure-gold mass of 5.80645 g, a 0.900 fineness and a 21.0 mm diameter. The obverse features the portrait of Umberto I (with beard and moustache, right profile) with the inscription UMBERTO I RE D'ITALIA, the reverse the Savoyard heraldic shield (white cross on a red background) in a laurel-oak wreath with a crown, REGNO D'ITALIA, L 20, year. The designer of the pattern is Filippo Speranza. Italy was a founding member of the LMU from 23.12.1865.

What is the technical specification of 20 Lire Umberto I?

Gross mass 6.4516 g (gold + copper), pure-gold mass 5.80645 g (1:1 parity with the French LMU franc), 0.900 fineness (Au 90% + Cu 10%, Crown-Gold-style alloy), 21.0 mm diameter, approx. 1.3 mm thickness, face value 20 Italian lire. Mint: Rome Mint (signature "R"). Obverse: Umberto I (with beard and moustache), UMBERTO I RE D'ITALIA — Filippo Speranza. Reverse: Savoyard shield with crown in a laurel-oak wreath, REGNO D'ITALIA, L 20, year.

What is the history of 20 Lire Umberto I?

Italy united in 1861 (Victor Emmanuel II). Founding member of the LMU 23.12.1865 — the lira had 1:1 parity with the French franc. Umberto I (1844-1900) — son of Victor Emmanuel II, second king of united Italy (reign 9.01.1878 - 29.07.1900). Nickname "Il Buono" (the Good) due to charity (cholera in Naples 1884). Assassinated on 29.07.1900 in Monza by the anarchist Gaetano Bresci. Successor: Victor Emmanuel III (1900-1946). 20 Lire Umberto I struck 1879-1897 (19 years) at the Rome Mint.

How does 20 Lire Umberto I differ from the other coins in package 108?

20 Lire Umberto I (IT, 1879-1897) — Italian LMU 20F, Rome Mint, portrait of Umberto I, Savoyard shield, premium 5-10%. 20F Marianne and Rooster (FR, 1899-1914) — the highest-mintage French LMU 20F, Monnaie de Paris. 20F Cérès Second Republic (FR, 1848-1851) — pre-LMU, short issue. 10F Marianne and Rooster (FR, 1899-1914) — small LMU fraction. 20 Kroner Frederik VIII (DK, 1908-1912) — SMU (not LMU), 8.0645 g gold, premium 6-12%.

For whom is 20 Lire Umberto I a practical choice?

For investors building a complete international LMU 20F portfolio (France + Belgium + Switzerland + Italy) — the Italian 20 Lire Umberto I is an indispensable element representing the 4th LMU founding state. For collectors of the Italian Risorgimento and the House of Savoy (1861-1946) — the second king of united Italy. For those interested in 19th-century European history (Italian unification, African colonialism, Triple Alliance 1882, death of the king-martyr 1900).

What is the LBMA, VAT, CGT and IRA status of 20 Lire Umberto I?

LBMA Good Delivery — NOT directly (historic coin, not a current bullion issue; the Rome Mint has had the status historically, but current LBMA refers to ongoing production). VAT in the EU — EXEMPT (historic legal-tender coin, 0.900 fineness = minimum, struck after 1800, market price ≤180% of gold value — meets EU Directive 2006/112/EC Art. 344 and the Polish VAT Act Art. 122). CGT-free in the UK — NO (CGT-free status applies only to British legal tender). IRA-eligible in the USA — NO (the IRS admits only American coins and selected modern bullion).

How do I buy 20 Lire Italy Umberto I at GoldInvest24?

Place an order in our shop with access to the gold investment coins category, the full range of historic LMU 20F coins and coins of European monetary unions of the 19th/20th centuries (Marianne and Rooster, Cérès Second Republic, 10F Marianne, 20 Lire Umberto I, 20 Kroner Frederik VIII). Check the current gold quotes to compare the premium against the current spot price. Technical descriptions and specifications are available in PL / DE / EN language versions.