Italian 1 centesimo coin (Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy)

1 centesimo
Coin from 1813
General information
Country	Kingdom of Italy
Value	0.01 lire, 0.20 soldi
Years	1807–1813
Measurements and composition
Mass	2.1 g
Diameter	19.5 mm
Composition	copper
Appearance
Edge	plain
Obverse	Napoleon, year
Reverse	Iron Crown of Lombardy, state title, value
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The 1 centesimo coin was issued by Napoleon's Kingdom of Italy from 1807 to 1813. With a value of 0.01 lire, it was the smallest denominated coin struck for use in the kingdom.

The coin is composed of copper. It weighs approximately 2.1 grams and measures 19.5 millimeters in diameter. The coin was designed by Milanese engraver Luigi Manfredini. A left-facing portrait of King Napoleon of France and Italy is featured on the obverse, partially encircled by a caption reading "NAPOLEONE IMPERATORE E RE", which translates from Italian to English as "Napoleon Emperor and King". Directly below Napoleon's likeness is the coin's year of minting, flanked by an oil lamp and either an anchor, oak branch, or pomegranate. The Iron Crown of Lombardy, the ceremonial headpiece worn by Napoleon during his coronation as King of Italy, is featured in the center of the reverse. Above, around the coin's rim, is the title "REGNO D'ITALIA" ("Kingdom of Italy"). Below the crown is the coin's value, simply inscribed as "CENTESIMO", and below that is either a "B", "M", or "V" mint mark. A "B" indicates the coin was struck at the Bologna Mint, an "M" represents the Milan Mint, and a "V" signifies the Venice Mint. In total, at least 50,581,000 examples were struck: 16,736,000 at Bologna, at least 16,369,000 in Milan, and at least 17,476,000 in Venice. 20,000 examples minted at Milan in 1808 erroneously carry "IMPERAPORE" on the obverse instead of "IMPERATORE", a mistake likely due to Manfredini's nearsightedness, and 2,244,000 specimens struck at the same mint in 1810 have the date stamped over an "1809". Also, Venice issued a number of coins in 1808 that have an "M" stamped under the mint's appropriate "V" mark. These three error coins are more sought after and hold more value than their standard counterparts.

A copper 1 centesimo pattern coin was struck in Milan in 1806. It likely bore the same designs as the subsequent 1 centesimo coins that actually did enter circulation.

References

• NumisMaster