Rome Mint — Italian gold and silver coins

The Rome Mint — from antiquity to the Zecca dello Stato

Rome has been striking coins for more than two thousand years — the ancient mint by the temple of Juno Moneta in fact gave the word "money" its name. The modern Rome Mint operates within the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, the state institute responsible for Italian circulating coins (including euros), collector issues and state documents. In the 19th century, after the unification of Italy, it was the mints of the kingdom — Rome among them — that struck the gold lire which entered circulation across Europe.

The gold 20 lire — Italy's Latin-standard coin

The most commonly encountered Italian gold coin is the 20 lire bearing the portraits of the kings of united Italy — Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I. Italy was one of the founding states of the Latin monetary standard of 1865, so the 20 lire was struck to unified parameters: 6.45 g at 900 fineness, that is 5.81 g of pure gold — exactly the same as in the French Marianne, the Belgian Leopold II and the Swiss Vreneli. Buying any of these coins today, you buy an identical amount of metal; only the image and the history differ.

The coins were struck in their millions as circulating money, which is why their premium over metal value is among the lowest of all historic gold, and natural traces of circulation do not affect the metal content.

The range at GoldInvest24

Italian gold coins are in the historic gold coins category — alongside French, Belgian and Swiss issues to the same standard. Every piece is checked for weight, dimensions and authenticity. We also run a gold and silver buy-back.

FAQ — the Rome Mint

What is the Rome Mint?

The historic state mint of Italy (Zecca di Roma), today operating within the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, the state minting and printing institute. It continues a minting tradition reaching back to ancient Rome.

How much gold does an Italian 20 lire contain?

6.45 g at 900 fineness, that is 5.81 g of pure gold — the same as the French, Belgian and Swiss 20 francs, because all were struck to the Latin monetary standard of 1865.

Do traces of circulation reduce the value of a 20 lire?

No. For coins priced by metal content, the amount of pure gold is set by the issuing standard, not by the state of the surface. Only mechanical damage matters, for example solder marks left by jewellery mounts.

Where can I buy Italian gold coins?

From a specialist precious metals dealer. At GoldInvest24 you will find Italian 20 lire with insured shipping and discreet packaging; every piece is checked for weight, dimensions and authenticity.