Albania, Republic, silver 2-Franga Ar, 1926 (KM 7). Close to mint state, but toned a little unevenly, scarce (£100-150)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of the Coins of Albania.

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The 2-Franga Ar is one of Romagnoli’s finest designs. The eagle is finely modelled in high relief and with slight modiifcations was re-used by the artist for the Italian 2-Lire of 1936. The reverse is remarkable. It is a variation on the similar theme employed by France for her pre-war silver two francs and francs — the well known “Semeuse” by Roty. But instead of an idealised peasant girl, Romagnoli portrays a muscular young man striding purposely forward as he plants a crop. With its implications of re-birth and renewal it is the perfect image for a new nation state. Sadly, the coin was not popular and was withdrawn. It is possible, but by no means certain, the reason may have been the nudity of the male figure. Albania is largely Moslem and one of the tenets of Islamic teaching is modesty of dress, which applies both to men and women. Zogu and his educated advisors, who must have approved the design, may have been happy with the coin, but it is likely Moslems in the countryside, and very possibly many members of the Orthodox and Roman Catholic communities as well, objected to it.