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The Banco di Sicilia, founded in 1849, was a cornerstone of the Sicilian and Italian economy throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries. The credit bond issued on October 13, 1883, discussed in this article, is a historical document of great value, testifying to the bank's importance in supporting local economic activities. This document not only represents a financial transaction but also serves as a significant piece of the island's economic history.
Historical Context
The year 1883 is set in a period of economic consolidation for post-unification Italy. Sicily, although still predominantly an agricultural economy, was beginning to experience a slow but growing process of industrialization. The Banco di Sicilia, headquartered in Palermo, played a crucial role in facilitating this process by providing credit to local entrepreneurs, farmers, and merchants. However, the island's economy was still fragile and highly dependent on agricultural conditions, making the financial support from banks a vital element for economic stability.
Document Details
Document Characteristics:
- Type of Document: Credit Bond
- Issue Date: October 13, 1883
- Nominal Value: 500 lire
- Location: Trapani
- Signed by: The Accountant and The Cashier
- Stamped: "Annullato" on October 13, 1883, with a stamp from the Trapani branch.
Artistic and Typographic Details:
- Graphic and Design: The document features a richly decorated frame, typical of 19th-century bank certificates. The winged angels adorning the top symbolize protection and security, reflecting Banco di Sicilia's mission to guarantee trust and stability to its customers. The color combination of pink, brown, and black gives the document a sober and distinctive elegance, while the design might be attributed to a specialized illustrator of the time.
- Typography: Printed by the "Berlam & Co." printing house in Milan, one of the most renowned for producing official documents and bank bonds.
- Predominant Colors: Pink with brown and black details, with golden accents in the decorative parts.
Provenance of the Title: This credit bond was issued to a citizen of Trapani for a financial transaction of 500 lire. Subsequently canceled, it has been preserved by private collectors and is now available for purchase by scripophily enthusiasts.
Historical Data of the Company
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Year of Foundation: | 1849 |
| Headquarters: | Palermo, Italy |
| Name at Delisting: | Banco di Sicilia |
| Year of Stock Exchange Listing: | 1860 |
| Year of Delisting: | 1997 |
| Year of Company Closure: | 2010 |
| Capital at Foundation: | 10 million lire |
| Capital at Closure: | 1 billion lire |
| Revenue (1883): | 1.8 million lire |
Valuation and Rarity
This document is considered a rare piece in the scripophily landscape, particularly for its excellent preservation and the historical context of its issuance. Collectors of 19th-century bank documents will find in this credit bond a valuable addition to their collection, representing an era of economic transformation and development.
Why Collect Scripophily?
Scripophily is not just a hobby but a journey through economic and social history. Documents like this credit bond offer a window into a distant past, allowing collectors to appreciate the historical and artistic value of bank certificates. Collecting these documents means preserving a piece of history and investing in artifacts that tell stories of past economies and societies.
Suggestions for Preservation:
- Keep the document in a frame with UV-protected glass to shield it from light.
- Store in a dry environment to avoid damage from humidity.
- Consider purchasing a certificate of authenticity to add value to the document.
These documents also make a unique gift idea for collectors, historians, or economists, and can be displayed as elegant decorative elements in offices or homes, adding a touch of history and sophistication.
All historical documents for sale are intended for collection. The documents have no economic or financial value (no economic or financial value), and the images that are not the historical document are representative of the company's object and the reference historical period; they are not provided, but it is possible to download them freely from the website and print them;
