30 lire 1874

Common. The Credito Agricolo Industriale Sardo was an established provincial credit institution with multiple series issues (this note is from Series G, indicating several printings). The presence of a serial number (0538) from a series printing suggests moderate to large production runs. Fair condition examples of Italian provincial credit notes from this period typically appear in the market with regularity, and there is no indication from the Pick catalog listing or this specific note's characteristics that it represents a short-lived issue, recall, or limited emission.

This banknote represents a significant period in Italian financial history following unification, when regional agricultural credit institutions were established to support rural development. The Credito Agricolo Industriale Sardo was one of several provincial credit banks chartered under the Law of 21 June 1863, which created a framework for agricultural financing in Italy. The note's emphasis on agricultural imagery—particularly the horse-drawn cart scene on the obverse—reflects the rural economic foundation these institutions were designed to support, especially in developing regions like Sardinia.

The obverse features an allegorical classical male figure in profile wearing a military helmet with radiating sun-like rays, symbolizing strength and enlightenment, positioned on the left side. The right side depicts a rural agricultural scene with a horse-drawn cart or wagon, representing productive labor and agrarian commerce—the primary purpose of the issuing institution. The reverse displays two allegorical female figures in classical style flanking a central circular medallion or seal at the top, with the denomination prominently displayed in circular frames. Both sides feature elaborate geometric and floral ornamental borders characteristic of high-security 19th-century banknote design. The overall color scheme employs browns, dark sepias, and cream tones typical of the period's printing palette.

FRONT SIDE: 'CREDITO AGRICOLO INDUSTRIALE SARDO' (Sardinian Agricultural-Industrial Credit); 'TRENTA LIRE' (Thirty Lire); '30' (denomination); 'Cagliari' (issuing city); 'SERIE G' (Series G); Serial number '0538'; 'BRADBURY, WILKINSON & Co ENGRAVERS & c. LONDON' (printer attribution). BACK SIDE: 'LEGGE 21 GIUGNO, 1863' (Law of 21 June 1863); 'ART. 12. LE DISPOSIZIONI DELLE LEGGI PENALI INTORNO AI REATI DI ALTERAZIONE, FRODE, FALSITA E FALSIFICAZIONE DI TITOLI NEL DIRITTO PUBBLICO ITALIANO, SONO ESTESE ANCHE AI BUONI AGRARI, EMESSI DAGLI ISTITUTI DI CREDITO AGRARIO.' (Article 12: The provisions of penal laws concerning crimes of alteration, fraud, forgery and falsification of public securities in Italian law are extended to agricultural bonds issued by agricultural credit institutions); '30' (denomination); 'ITALIA TRENTA' (Italy Thirty).

Steel engraving with intaglio printing, executed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co of London, one of Europe's premier banknote security printers. The visual analysis confirms the characteristic fine line work, intricate geometric border patterns, and detailed portraiture typical of hand-engraved steel plate production. The fine detail in the ornamental borders, the precise denomination indicators in multiple locations, and the complex background patterns served as security features against counterfeiting. The typography used for the legal text exhibits the small, precise characteristics typical of engraved security printing.

This note is identified as Series G, indicating it belongs to a specific printing series. The serial number 0538 is documented. Known varieties for Credito Agricolo Industriale Sardo 30 lire notes from 1874 may include different series designations (A through G or beyond), signature variations among authorized bank officials, and possible minor design state variations typical of multi-year issues. The use of Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co as the engraver remained consistent across Italian provincial bank issues of this era.