The 6 types of seals
All banknotes issued by the Bank of Italy between 1896 and 1997 all have a seal printed on the front and / or back. All of these seals are of similar size. There are three different types of seals for the front and three different types of seals for the backs.
The three seals printed on the front:
- Type A: an allegory of Italia in profile,
- Type B: a Medusa head,
- Type C: the winged lion of Saint Mark of Venice with the three coats of arms of Genoa, Pisa and Amalfi.

The three seals printed on the back:
- Type D: "Decreto Ministeriale Del 30 Luglio 1896",
- Type E: "Ottobre 1922" and a beam,
- Type F: the Banca of Italy monogram (BI).

Period | Seal Type | Pick Reference |
---|---|---|
1896 to 1926 | A and D | 38 to 43, 45, 46, 49. |
1926 to 1943 | A and E | 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 54 to 64, 69. |
1943 to 1947 | A and F | 65 to 68, 70 to 77, 82, 84. |
1945 to 1947 | A | 78, 79. |
1947 to 1950 | B and F | 80, 81, 83, 85, 88 to 90. |
1947 to 1969 | B | 86, 87, 96 to 101. |
1971 to 1997 | C | 102 to 118. |
