Italy 1 Lira - Umberto I, 1883 – 1900

1 Lira from Italy. Issued from 1883 to 1900. Struck in Silver (.835). Measures 23 mm and weighs 5 g.

Obverse

Head of King Umberto I facing right, below the name of the engraver and the date (UMBERTO THE KING OF ITALY
SPERANZA
1886)

Reverse

Savoia crowned coat of arms decorated with the Collare dell'Annunziata divides value. All in encircled in a wreath made by a branch of laurel and one of oak with the star of Italy above the crown (1 Lira
R)

Edge

Inscription with Guilloche 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.)