Up for sale is an authentic 1939 Italian 10 Centesimi coin, minted under King Vittorio Emanuele III, part of the "Impero" (Empire) series commemorating the Italian Empire.
Details:
Country: Italy (Kingdom)
Ruler: Vittorio Emanuele III
Year: 1939 (Year XVII of the Fascist Era)
Mint: Rome (mintmark R)
Composition: Copper (early 1939 issue) — later 1939 issues struck in Bronzital (aluminum bronze)
Weight: ~4.9g (copper) / ~4.17-5.6g range depending on strike
Diameter: ~22.5mm
Catalog reference: Gigante #250/251
Design:
Obverse: Portrait of King Vittorio Emanuele III facing left, with inscription "VITT • EM • III • RE • E • IMP" (King and Emperor)
Reverse: Crowned Savoy shield superimposed on a vertical fasces (littorio), flanked by a wheat ear (spiga) on the left and two oak leaves (foglie di quercia) on the right — symbols of prosperity and strength. "ITALIA" arcs along the top edge, with denomination "C.10" and the Fascist Era year below. Designer's signature "G. ROMAGNOLI" appears along the lower rim.
Description:
A historically significant coin from the Italian Kingdom's WWII-era "Impero" coinage series, struck to commemorate the proclamation of the Italian Empire. The wheat-and-oak reverse design is one of the most iconic of the Vittorio Emanuele III era, symbolizing agricultural abundance and national resilience. A great find for collectors of Italian, WWII, or fascist-era European coinage.
Condition as pictures