Definition

• Lira, plural Lire, and derived from the Latin word libra, a pound, was originally a money of account in Venice. Payments of Lira di Grossi, while made in the latter coins, were based on their weight irre- spective of their number. The Doge Nicolo Tron (1471-147:5) introduced the so-called Lira Tron, which bore his bust on one side and the lion of St. Mark on the reverse. It was divided into twenty Soldi of twelve Denari, and was copied by some of his successors.

  When Italy adopted the Latin Union standard the silver Lira was made the unit and placed on a par value with the Franc. It is divided into one hundred Centesimi. The Lira is used in the Italian colonies, in Lombardy, Venice, and in San Marino.

Source

• Frey's Dictionary (American Journal of Numismatics, Vol. 50, 1916)

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