Much can be understood about a nation or a group of countries from the coins and banknotes it has had in use, and this is naturally also the case with the old Italian lira, which even today presents some of the most interesting elements from a numismatic point of view: this term often refers to collecting, but literally numismatics is the scientific and historical research of forms of money. The 200 lire still remains one of the most recognizable and famous today, as it was a very widespread monetary issue.
However, not all 200 lire are the same, as some specific and defined editions can be considered rarer on average than others.
An expert eye can immediately recognize a common coin, which is worth very little, compared to a very rare one, which can be worth up to 2000 euros.
Do you remember the 200 lire? Here’s which one to look for!
The 200 lire was a particular edition as it was an issue that did not “come” from previous versions, but was inaugurated towards the end of the 70s and was very widespread until the total dismantling of the lira in the early 2000s.
The 200 lire was conceived in a typology as the main model, called Lavoro and recognizable by the shape of a gear, which also surrounds the main corner, i.e. the obverse of the coin, where the wording with the nominal value heads, and at the bottom is it is possible to find the year of minting. The other side of the coin presents, as with other issues of the period, a depiction of a female profile, a woman’s head, surrounded by the wording of the Italian Republic.
The metal alloy used, known as bronzital and also used for subsequent issues (such as the internal part of the 500 lire) but also earlier ones such as the 20 lire Quercia, which in fact also has a golden appearance. But how much is it worth?
It depends on the year of minting, undoubtedly the rarest is the very first edition, i.e. part of the 1977 edition of the coins, recognizable by the small “proof” writing on the right side of the issue, as can be seen from the photo.
It was a generally very popular coin but there are just over a thousand that can boast the written proof, so it is undoubtedly the most difficult to find: valued on average between 600 and 1000 euros if in perfect condition, a Proof of this type from 1977 at auction if in like new condition can also fetch up to 2000 euros.
