Bologna Coin List

The city of Bologna in Italy played an important role in medieval monetary history. As part of the Papal States, Bologna minted its own coins for centuries, reflecting its status as an economic and cultural center. These coins not only served as a medium of exchange, but were also symbols of local power and autonomy.

The Bolognese monetary system

During the Middle Ages, Bologna used a monetary system based on the denaro, a silver coin that was common throughout much of Europe. The Bolognese denaro was divided into 12 piccioli, and 20 soldi equaled 1 lira. What distinguished the Bolognese coins, however, was their unique iconography. Many of these coins bore the image of San Petronio, the patron saint of the city, as well as inscriptions referring to papal authority. As Bologna gained more autonomy, its coins began to reflect its growing independence, incorporating civic symbols such as the lion rampant or the cross of the city.

Economic and cultural impact

The minting of coins in Bologna was not only of economic, but also cultural and political importance. The city, famous for its university, attracted students and scholars from all over Europe, which contributed to the circulation of its coins beyond local borders. In addition, the quality and consistency of Bolognese coins made them a reliable form of currency in regional trade. During the Renaissance, Bologna experienced a boom in the production of gold coins, such as the bolognino d'oro, reflecting the city's growing prosperity and its position as a cultural and economic center in northern Italy. These coins not only facilitated trade, but also served as ambassadors of Bologna's wealth and prestige throughout Europe.

The most valuable and popular coins

The most valuable Bologna coins and sought after by collectors according to Foronum statistics are the following:

The valuation of these coins list has been achieved through a meticulous algorithm that considers the current market, taking into account aspects such as material, weight, diameter, edge, year of mintage, mint of manufacture and the number of coins produced. Coins with limited mintages and in good condition are usually among the most valuable.

Old coins of Italy-States

To facilitate their classification, we have decided to organise the coins according to their historical period, you can consult the coins by historical numismatic categories of Italy-States.

Coin Catalog

Other resources to find coins and banknotes of Italy-States

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