Country: Italy
Issuer: Prima Repubblica Romana – Monte di Pieta
SCWPM Catalog No.: P-S528a
Date: 9 July 1798
Denomination: 50 Bajocchi
Condition: Very Good, one horizontal crease, one vertical crease, slight split at centerfolds, hole bottom center, rough right and left edges. Small piece removed along bottom margin at center.
Description: Black on white parchment type paper watermarked “REP.ROM”. Text surrounded by a frame of fasces with Phrygian caps on the corners. Eagle in wreath at top center, Roman Republican stamped seals at right and left. The Prima Repubblica Romana (First Roman Republic) was established on February 15th, 1798 by the French as a client republic under the French Directory with territory taken from the Papal States. It lasted only until June of 1800, as the territory was restored to the Papal States. The two primary banks in Rome at the time were used to issue notes of the Prima Repubblica Romana. This note was issued by the Sacro Monte della Pieta’ di Roma (rough translation: Sacred Bank (or Pawnshop) of the Poor of Rome). Hand signed, dated, and serial numbered. A note with historical significance. 140mm x 98mm.