Italy (Kingdom of Napoleon) Centesimo, 3 Centisimi, Soldo, and 5, 10, and 15 Soldi 1807 to 1814

These are neat coins! The person on your coin is none other than Napoleon Bonaparte - the historical figure who conquered a last part of Europe, but ended up dying of cancer in exile on the island of Saint Helena. Both his life and death are still surrounded by mystery until this day, and countless books and movies have him as a central person.

During his reign in Italy, Napoleon minted several coins in several denominations, but with a common theme of his portrait on one side and a sharply pointed crown on the other.

CENTESIMO: copper, 1807 to 1813, bust left
3 CENTESIMI: copper, 1807 to 1813, bust left
SOLDO: copper, 1807 to 1813, bust left
5 SOLDI: 0.036 troy ounces silver, 1808 to 1813, bust right
10 SOLDI: 0.072 troy ounces silver, 1808 to 1813, bust right
15 SOLDI: 0.109 troy ounces silver, 1808 to 1814, bust right

Soldi comes from solidi, the plural of the word solidus, which was an ancient Roman gold coin. This word survived into the Italian language and was used as a coin denomination into the late 19th century.

So these coins, though no longer made from the same metal, truly comes from an ancient Roman coin type, and even maintains the same general elements of the emperor's bust on the obverse (heads side), and a symbolic element along with the mint mark in the exergue on the reverse. Along with this, you have Napoleon himself on your coin. Talk about holding history between your fingers!

Here are some approximate catalog values:

CENTESIMO
worn: $4 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $15
well preserved: $75
fully uncirculated: $120
centesimo with B mint mark are more valuable, double the values above
centesimo dated 1807V abd 1812V are more valuable, multiply these values by four

3 CENTESIMI
worn: $4 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $15
well preserved: $75
fully uncirculated: $120
3 centesimi with B mint mark are more valuable, double the values above
3 centesimi dated 1807B, 187V, and 1813B, are more valuable, multiply these values by three

SOLDO
worn: $4 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $15
well preserved: $60
fully uncirculated: $100
soldo dated 1807B, 1807V, 1808V, 1809B, and 1812V are more valuable, multiply these values by four

5 SOLDI:
worn: $5 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $15
well preserved: $60
fully uncirculated: $120
5 soldi dated 1812 with the B mint mark are rare and catalog at $250 when average circulated.
5 soldi dated 1812 with the V mint mark are extremely rare and catalog at $600 when average circulated.
5 soldi dated 1814 with the inscription 'IMPERARORE' instead of 'IMPERATORE' are scarce and catalog at $65 when average circulated.

10 SOLDI:
worn: $6
average circulated: $18
well preserved: $60
fully uncirculated: $130
10 soldi dated 1812 with the B mint mark are rare and catalog at $250 when average circulated.
10 soldi dated 1813 with the B mint mark are less common, multiply the common date values by 4.
10 soldi dated 1811, 1812 and 1813 with the V mint mark are scarce and catalog at $100 when average circulated.

15 SOLDI:
worn: $60
average circulated: $200
well preserved: $500
fully uncirculated: $1100
15 soldi dated 1809M are almost impossible to find when in good condition, cataloging at $2000 in well preserved condition; worn they are quite common and catalog at $40

There is a twist with the coins, both 5 and 10 soldi, dated 1808. Most were made with incuse edge stars, i.e. stars engraved into the coin, but some coins were minted with raised edge stars. This happened with quite a few 1808 five soldi coins, and they now catalog around $65 when average circulated.

The phenomenon is less common to encounter on 10 soldi coin, and these catalog above $200 when their edge stars are raised. So if you have a coin dated 1808, check those edge stars!

A damaged coin will be worth very little, in most cases close to nothing if the damage is severe. Damage includes heavy scratching, pitting in the surface, corrosion, or a holed coin.

Please read our 'Important Terminology' page found on the top left in order to properly interpret the catalog values quoted on this page.
cqLastNotify