Featured Note of the Month: 1937-41 Italian 50 Lire

Posted on 12/17/2019

December's Note of the Month depicts a wolf with twin infants Romulus and Remus, the mythological founders of Rome.

Italy, Banca d'Italia, Pick# 54b, 1937-41, 50 Lire, front
PMG graded 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ
Click image to enlarge.

Italy, Banca d'Italia, Pick# 54b, 1937-41, 50 Lire, back
PMG graded 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ
Click images to enlarge.

Country: Italy
Catalog Number: Pick #54
Date: 1933-41
Denomination: 50 Lire
Varieties: The a-variety is dated 1933-36, with signatures of Azzolini and Cima. The b-variety is dated 1937-41, with signatures of Azzolini and Urbini.

What makes it special? The back of this note depicts a wolf with twin infants Romulus and Remus, the mythological founders of Rome.

Why is it interesting now? Late December was an important time in classical Roman culture. December 25 was the Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, a festival celebrating the birth of the sun god, Sol Invictus.

Did you know? While Christians accept December 25 as the birthday of Jesus Christ, the actual date of Jesus’s birth was not recorded and this date was chosen much later. There are many conflicting theories about why that date was selected. One theory suggests it was because it corresponded to the festival of Sol Invictus. Another theory states that Jesus chose to be born on December 25, the date of the winter solstice on the Roman calendar and the shortest day of the year, for symbolic reasons. Religious scholarship, however, has placed Christmas on December 25th because it falls nine months after March 25th, which is the accepted date of Jesus’s conception.

Whatever you’re celebrating this season, PMG would like to wish all our readers a happy holiday!

Total graded by PMG: 10 across both varieties.

PMG median grade: 58

PMG highest graded: 66 EPQ

Sales highlights: This note can be purchased raw on eBay for under $30.

PMG Registry Champion: This is part of the Banca d'Italia, P38-P73 set.

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