Okay, so... I got this coin in a plastic wrapped sleeve with a paper that has a picture of Umberto I of Italy. It looks to be the same as the larger 5 lire Umberto I coin, but this one is really small and I'm not even sure of the metal. The coin itself is smaller than a US dime, so it's not like the 1891 5 lire coins that I've seen before. This coin is dated 1891, but I have never seen a version of this coin so small. It is sealed in the sleeve that it was packaged in. Is this a replica? or something else. I have never seen something like this. Anyone have any idea what it is?
Didn’t notice the size reference. Some replicas have been produced. I’ll look for more in the morning
I don't know for sure but it looks to me like one of those "World's smallest Gold Coins" - a series of "collectable" coins made by the likes of Westminster coins in the last 20 years. I have seen similar ones in facsimile of Mexican and Peruvian coins. Gold content is pretty low.
Paddy, it does look just like the coins from that collection. I just have never seen an 1891 5 lire coin in that series. It is cool though.
