The 1797 Italian States Naples 8 Tornesi coin was struck during the reign of King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, who ruled the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily. This coin is made of copper, weighs approximately 13.5 to 16 grams, and measures about 31.5 to 32 mm in diameter. It was a standard circulation coin used extensively within the kingdom’s monetary system at the time and was valued at 8 Tornesi, equivalent to 4 Grana or 1/30 of a Piastra.
On the obverse, the coin features a right-facing portrait of King Ferdinand IV with long hair, accompanied by the inscription “FERDIN·IV·D·G·SICIL·ET HIE REX,” meaning Ferdinand IV by the grace of God King of Sicily and Jerusalem. The letter “P” under the bust indicates the mint mark. The reverse prominently shows the coin’s value in three lines—“OTTO / TORNESI / R. 8 C.”—along with the date in the exergue. The edge of the coin is decorated with a series of parallel dashes (“= = =”), a common edge design for coins of this era.
The year 1797 places this coin in a fascinating historical context, overlapping with the late Enlightenment and pre-Risorgimento period in Italy, a time of significant social and political change. This period is well known for figures like Giacomo Casanova, who was alive during Ferdinand IV’s reign, giving the coin an added cultural and historical significance related to the era of intrigue, romance, and upheaval in Southern Italy.
Collectors prize the 1797 8 Tornesi coin for its rich history and the quality of its design and craftsmanship. Coins in beautiful condition showcase sharp details in the king’s bust and the coin’s lettering, making them particularly attractive for numismatists specializing in Italian states or Bourbon-era coinage.
In summary, the 1797 Naples 8 Tornesi coin from the reign of Ferdinand IV is a copper historical artifact that captures the political, social, and cultural essence of late 18th-century Southern Italy during a pivotal period, marked by its association with notable contemporaries such as Casanova and the broader Bourbon dynasty heritage.
