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Auction: 13039 - World Coins and Commemorative Medals
Lot: 4

(g) Albania, Zog (president 1925, king 1928-39), Rome, 20-Franga Ari, 1926 R with fasces, lion of St Mark, rev. bust of Skanderbeg right (F.5; KM.12), extremely fine, very rare

This is the rarest of the series of coins struck under Ahmet Zogu. Only 100 examples of the 20-Franga Ari with the fasces below the Lion of St Mark were struck, and it is said that the President, who was mistrustful of fascist politics and would not allow political parties to develope in Albania, was so upset by the appearance of the fascist symbol that he ordered the coins to be returned to the Rome mint. It is believed that only ten examples escaped the melting pot.

Sold for
£7,000