Extreme Banknotes
Italy 2 Lire 1944 P-30 VF – Biglietto di Stato
Italy 2 Lire 1944 P-30 VF – Biglietto di Stato
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A small wartime state note of the Kingdom of Italy, authorised in November 1944 as the country was being liberated.
Our collector score for history, scarcity, curiosity, age & condition — see the breakdown in the description. Not a valuation.
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📸 Please Note: We have many of these banknotes in stock. The exact serial numbers and specific wear patterns will vary from the photographs, but the described condition and overall quality remain exactly the same.
A small Italian 2 Lire "Biglietto di Stato a corso legale" (state note) of the Ministero del Tesoro, with the laureate head of Italia on the front. The orange back carries the decree date D.Min. 23 November 1944.
⚡ Extreme Index: 5.7 / 10
Why it's extreme: A small wartime state note of the Kingdom of Italy, authorised in November 1944 as the country was being liberated.
- History & drama (30%): 7/10
- Scarcity (25%): 3.8/10 (Numista rarity index 22/100)
- Wow factor (20%): 5/10
- Age (15%): 7/10
- Condition (10%): 6/10
The Extreme Index is Extreme Banknotes' own collector score based on history, scarcity, curiosity, age and condition — it is not a valuation or investment rating.
📦 Included Banknote:
1944 Italy 2 Lire (P-30)
📖 History and Significance:
In 1944 Italy was split between the Allied-occupied south and the German-controlled north, and the Royal government in the south was led by Crown Prince Umberto as Lieutenant General of the Realm. Small change was scarce, so the Treasury issued state notes of 1, 2 and 5 Lire based on a 1935 law (R.D.L. 20 May 1935, n. 874) and authorised by a ministerial decree of 23 November 1944. Collectors call this the "Luogotenenza" (Lieutenancy) series. Unlike Banca d'Italia notes, these were issued directly by the Treasury. They stayed in use after the war as Italy became a republic in 1946.
🎨 Design Details:
Front: laureate head of Italia in an oval framed by ornaments, "ITALIA" above and "MINISTERO DEL TESORO" below; text "Biglietto di Stato a corso legale – Due Lire", serial numbers and the signatures of the Treasury Director General, the Court of Auditors and the Special Cashier.
Back: orange design with two large "2 Lire" medallions, a central panel warning that the law punishes counterfeiters, "R.D.L. 20 Maggio 1935, N. 874" and "D.Min. 23 Novembre 1944".
🔍 Numismatic Features:
- Size: 82 × 45 mm
- Material: Paper
- Type: State note (Biglietto di Stato)
- Currency: Italian lira
- Country: Italy
- Issuing Authority: Ministero del Tesoro (Ministry of the Treasury)
- Date: D.Min. 23 November 1944
- Printer: Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato – Officina Carte Valori, Rome
✅ Condition Guide:
VF (Very Fine) / Circulated. Shows clear signs of circulation, such as several folds, minor edge wear and some loss of crispness, while remaining fully intact with clear design details. As we hold multiple examples, the note you receive may differ slightly from the one photographed, but will be in the same grade.
🛡️ Why Shop with Us?
🛡️ Why Shop with Us?
100% Guaranteed Authenticity: Every single note is individually verified by our banknote experts.
Secure Shipping: Shipped securely and flat in archival-safe protective sleeves and hard cardboard envelope to avoid any transit bending.
Tracked Premium Dispatch: Dispatched fast from Hungary, using Spring GDS, a worldwide trusted Dutch postal service, with a full door-to-door international tracking.
⭐ Customer Reviews (Etsy)
⭐ Customer Reviews (Etsy)
4.8 / 5 stars from 189 reviews and 697 sales on our Etsy shop.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Love my order! Thank you for the quick shipping from so far away. You are a wonderful seller!" – Sharon, Sep 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Was uncirculated as described. Would like to do business with you again." – Joseph, Sep 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Beautiful set, perfect UNC as described. Nice and colourful." – Róbert, Sep 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Pretty good shape for a note from that period." – Joseph, Sep 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Every thing is good as mentioned keep shopping here." – Gurvinder, Sep 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Thank you, order as described!" – Shawn, Aug 2026
📜 Shop Policies & Disclaimers
📜 Shop Policies & Disclaimers
Products: All items sold by us are vintage, numismatic collectibles for historical study, collecting and display. They are not sold as current legal tender for circulation, nor do they constitute financial investments or investment instruments.
Authenticity Guarantee: Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the listing title or description:
- All banknotes are guaranteed to be 100% genuine and authentic.
- PMG-graded notes are third-party authenticated and graded by Paper Money Guaranty (PMG).
- Raw (ungraded) notes are meticulously inspected and authenticated by our in-house numismatic experts.
- Any replica, reproduction, or novelty item will always be clearly and prominently labeled.
Images & Descriptions: Our product photography aims to represent each item with maximum accuracy. However:
- Slight color variations may occur due to studio lighting, camera settings, or individual screen displays.
Returns & Refunds:
- To receive a full or partial refund, the buyer must return the item(s) in question to our shop.
- Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing, returned items must be securely shipped back within 30 days of the return request approval.
- The buyer is responsible for taking reasonable care of the item(s) to ensure they arrive in their original condition.
- Return shipping arrangements (including prepaid labels, if applicable under policies) will be clearly communicated at the time of the return request.
📩 Contact Us
📩 Contact Us
Are you searching for a specific banknote to complete your collection? Do you have questions about a piece, our grading, or an existing order? Feel free to reach out to us through Messages, we are always here to assist you!
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CONDITION GUIDE
Gem Uncirculated
A note that is flawless, with the same freshness, crispness and bright color as when first printed. It
must be perfectly centered, with full margins, and free of any marks, blemishes or traces of handling.
About Uncirculated
A bright, crisp note that appears new but upon close examination shows a trace of very light use, such as a corner fold or faint crease. 'About Uncirculated' is a borderline condition, applied to a note which may not be quite uncirculated, but yet is obviously better than an average Extra Fine note. Such notes command a price only slightly below a new note and are highly desirable.
Extra Fine
A note that shows some faint evidence of circulation, although it will still be bright and retain nearly full crispness. It may have two or three minor folds or creases but no tears or stains and no discolorations.
Very Fine
A note that has been in circulation, but not actively or for long. It still retains some crispness and is still choice enough in its condition to be altogether desirable. It may show folds or creases, or some light smudges from the hands of a past generation. Sometimes, Very Fine notes are the best available in certain rare issues, and they should accordingly be cherished just as much as uncirculated notes.
Fine
A fine note shows evidence of much more circulation, has lost its crispness and very fine detail, and creases are more pronounced, although the note is still not seriously soiled or stained.
SHIPPING
Tracking information will be provided!
Your banknote will be packaged between two sturdy pieces of cardboard to safeguard its condition during transit, guaranteeing it arrives to you exactly as described. Should you have any inquiries, please don't hesitate to reach out - we're here to assist you!