By the Italian Mint ……
Totò, stage name of Antonio de Curtis, is among the most famous Italian actors of the 20th century. Totò masterly combined folk theatre with art movie. Like other great comic actors such as Charlie Chaplin with his Charlot, he created his own “mask” that features an original, irresistible, irreverent and melancholic humor, which is deeply anchored in the great tradition of the commedia dell’arte.
The obverse features Antonio de Curtis as Totò, wearing his typical theatrical “mask”. The portrait is inspired by a photograph taken by Guy Bourdin/The Guy Bourdin Estate/Courtesy Louise Alexander Gallery. On the right, the name of the designer “U. PERNAZZA” (Uliana Pernazza) can be found. Around the main design is the inscription “REPUBBLICA ITALIANA”.
On the reverse are elements from the movie world encircling Totò’ s typical hand gesture. Above is the denomination of “5 EURO”. On the left is Totò’s signature. To the right is the letter “R” identifying the Mint of Rome, and below that are the dates “1967” and “2017”, the year of Totò’s death and that of the coin’s issue, respectively.
For the first time, the Italian Treasury is issuing a 5€ bimetallic coin for collectors. And while this is something of a novelty for the Republic of Italy, it is not for the Italian Mint, as it already strikes 5€ bimetallic coins for the Republic of San Marino.
Specifications
- Denomination: 5.00 euro
- Metal: Cupronickel
- Weight: 9.52 g
- Diameter: 27.50 mm
- Finish: Special Uncirculated
- Designer: Uliana Pernazza
- Mintage: 15,000
- Packaging: Coin Card
- Retail Price: € 15.00
- Date of Issue: September 18, 2017
