500 Lire (Bimetallic)

Country of Origin: Italy

Year of Issue: 1982-2001 (Specific year identification requires seeing the reverse side)

Denomination: 500 Italian Lire

Composition: Bimetallic: Acmonital (stainless steel) outer ring and Bronzital (bronze) center plug

Brief Description

A bimetallic coin with a silver-colored outer ring and a gold-colored center. The obverse features a personified head of Italy (Repubblica Italiana) with feathers in her hair.

Historical Significance

Introduced in 1982, it was the first bimetallic coin produced for general circulation in modern times. It features braille dots on the reverse, making it accessible for the visually impaired. It remained a staple of Italian currency until replaced by the Euro in 2002.

Estimated Value

$0.50 - $3.00 USD (Common circulation value)

Care Instructions

Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid cleaning or polishing as this can damage the numismatic value and original patina. Handle by the edges to prevent skin oils from causing oxidation.

Created At: 2026-02-04T17:01:26.278311