Italy 1 Lira - Victor Emmanuel III, 1901 – 1907

1 Lira from Italy. Issued from 1901 to 1907. Struck in Silver (.835). Measures 23 mm and weighs 5 g.

Obverse

The head of King Vittorio Emanuele III facing right with the name of the engraver below the neck (Vittoria Emanuele III)

Reverse

A heraldic eagle with the Savoia shield on its chest and the crown of Italy above its head, and the mintmark below between stars, with the value to the left and the date to the right (Kingdom of Italy
1 Lira R 1901)

Edge

Smooth with inscription between knots and rosettes (FERT was the motto of the house of Savoy, adopted by King Vittorio Amedeo II (1666-1732). It is thought to be an acronym, though what it stands for have been lost to time. Theories include:

1. Foedere Et Religione Tenemur (Latin, ‘treaty and religion bind us’)

2. Fortitudo Eius Rempublicam Tenet (Latin, ‘his bravery [or strength] preserves [or defends] the state’)

3. Fides Est Regni Tutela (Latin, ‘faith is the protector of [our] kingdom’)

Another theory suggests that it is in fact the Latin word fert, the third-person singular present active indicative of ferre (Meaning he/she/it suffers/bears), in reference to Jesus bearing the sins of the world.)