Sale: CNG 60, Lot: 2139. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 22 May 2002.  Sold For $350. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY. Victorio Emanuele III. 1922. Nickel Pattern 2 Lire (10.01 gm). Bust right, within circular border; olive sprigs below / Eagle seated right, grasping tablet; R and BVONO/DA/L.2/1922 inscribed on tablet, PROVA TECNICA before eagle. Uncirculated, a few hairlines in obverse field. KM PnA38. ($300)

At the cutting edge of early Fascist art style, this bold eagle design was not accepted, and the very simplistic axe mounted on fasces was accepted. For better or likely worse, the bold and simple designs of the prewar and WWII period fascist regimes seem to have set the trend for modern coin designs throughout the remainder of the 20th Century. This and the following pattern are both listed, but unpriced in KM due to relative obscurity.