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The Very Highest Quality Information...
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San Marino Coins
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Obverse of 1997 San Marino 10,000 Lira
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Countries
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Reverse of 1997 San Marino 10,000 Lira
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A Brief History of San Marino
San Marino is a tiny enclave surrounded by Italy. Founded in 301 A.D. and with a constitution dating back to the 17th century, San Marino is one of the oldest extant Republics in the world. In the earliest days of its existence, its de-facto independence was maintained because as an inaccessible city-state with no wealth to speak of, absorbing it was considered more trouble than it was worth, and so it was left relatively unmolested by the Romans and later neighbouring states.
In 1631, the Papal States, which at this time surrounded San Marino, formally recognised San Marino’s independence. This independence has survived down to the present day, despite being at times surrounded by a war zone between competing belligerents. San Marino’s independence was respected by Napoleon, on account of the fact that it was Europe’s oldest constitutional Republic, and by Garibaldi, who despite being the man responsible for the unification of Italy, granted San Marino’s continued wish for independence due to their support in harbouring pro-unification refugees in the days before unification.
During World War II, San Marino was briefly occupied by German soldiers in 1944 before they were driven out by allied forces, who themselves withdrew quickly afterwards.
Today, San Marino remains as an independent enclave surrounded by the Italian Republic. Prior to 2002, San Marino had its own currency known as the San Marino Lira, exchangeable at par with the Italian Lira. When Italy entered the Eurozone, San Marino was given permission to issue Euro money, despite not being a member of the EU itself.
Coinage of San Marino
The tiny enclave nation of San Marino has generally used the coinage of the surrounding area for everyday circulation, or a coinage based upon it. Coins denominated in Lira were struck in Italy from the 1860s until the adoption of the Euro in 2002. Coins of San Marino, as one might expect, have typically low mintages and as with coins of the Vatican, do not last long in general circulation due to their popularity with collectors.
For Sale and Wanted
If you are interested in coins from San Marino please see our product index:-
San Marino Coins
Gold Coins
We also have gold coins from San Marino on our taxfreegold website:-
San Marino Gold Coins
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...at the Lowest Possible Price
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