Country: Italy, Republic (1946-date)
Type: Standard circulation coin
Years: 1959
Value: 500 Lire (500 ITL)
Currency: Lira (1861-2001)
Metal: Silver (.835)
Mintage: 19,360,000
Grade: VF20 (Edge damaged)
Weight: 10.9 g
Diameter: 29.3 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Shape: Round
Orientation: Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized: 02-28-2002
References: KM# 98
Obverse:
Bust of woman in Renaissance dress, representing Italy, surrounded by 19 shields. From lower left the shields are: Genova, Torino, Aosta, Milano, Trento, Venezia, Trieste, Udine, Bologna, Firenze, Ancona, Perugia, Roma, L'Aquila, Napoli, Bari, Potenza, Catanzaro, Sicilia, Cagliari. The last two are hidden behind the bust.
Below the name of the engraver.
Lettering: GIAMPAOLI
Engraver: Pietro Giampaoli.
Reverse:
Christopher Columbus's ships, the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria sailing to right. Below the value, with mint mark and name of the author (within sea waves).
Lettering:
REPVBBLICA ITALIANA
VEROI
L. 500
R
Engraver: Guido Veroi.
Edge:
Raised lettering with the date within six stars (three for each sides).
Lettering: REPVBBLICA ITALIANA ***1959***
Mint:
R → Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, Rome, Italy (1911-date).
Reference : KM# 98, Schön# 97, Y# 105
Source : https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces2...
Collection : Italian States - Pre Risorgimento (1250-1861) & Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946) Republic (1946-date)