Brief History
Before the unification of Italy about 1861, Italy consisted of many small states, kingdoms, and duchies. This makes the period more interesting for historians and coin collectors alike.
Parma is a town in the Emilia region of Italy. Founded by the consul Marcus Emilius Lepidus in 183 BC, it became a rich commune in the Middle Ages and over the centuries was ruled by the Viscontis, the Sforzas, the French and the Vatican. Finally, it was made into a duchy by Pope Paul III in 1545 and given to his son Pier Luigi Farnese. The Farnese family reigned in Parma for almost two hundred years. The town was inherited by the Bourbons in the early 18th century. They gave its court and social life a typically French flavor. After the Napoleonic rule, which lasted from 1802 to 1814, it was decided at the Congress of Vienna that Parma should go to Napoleon's wife, Marie Louise, Maria Luigia in Italian, daughter of Emperor Francis I of Austria. When she died in 1847, the duchy returned to the Bourbons until 1860 when it became part of the Italian Kingdom.

Parman Gold Coins The coin denomination used by Parma include dopia (plural doppie), doppieta (plural doppiette), zecchino, (plural zecchini), ducats (singular ducato, plural ducati), and lira (plural lire).

Description The Forty Lire coin shown in our photographs is as follows:-

Obverse
Portrait of Maria Luigia facing left, wearing a coronet, the inscription:-MARIA LUIGIA PRINC IMP ARCID D'AUSTRIA
1815

Reverse
Large crowned and draped shield, with the legend:-PER LA GR DI DIO DUCH DI PARMA PIEC E GUAST
40 LIRE

Edge
The edge is lettered:-
DIRIGE ME DOMINE

Technical Specifications

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