By the Italian Mint ……
The State Mint of Italy has produced two coins: one to celebrate the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence and one to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The first coin, in silver with a face value of 5 euros, is dedicated to one of the most famous monuments in the world, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. On the obverse, in the foreground, is architect Filippo Brunelleschi’s famous dome; in the background is represented the planimetry of the “clover” of the stands. In the upper part of the arch is the inscription ““REPUBBLICA”, between two lilies; in the exergue is the word “ITALIANA” and, between two lilies, the artist’s signature “A. Masini”.
On the reverse, the octagonal geometric shape–an element of the dome’s design–delimits the “Putti Danzanti” of the Cantoria of Luca della Robbia preserved in the Museum of the Opera of the Duomo of Florence. Arched at the top are the words “ITALIA DELLE ARTI”; in the left field are the inscription “R”, identifying the Mint of Rome, and the date “2019”. In the right field are the legend “FIRENZE” and a lily, symbol of the Tuscan capital. At the bottom of the design is the value “5 EURO”. The Cathedral of S. Maria del Fiore is reproduced courtesy of the Opera of Santa Maria del Fiore.
The coin, made in Proof by the engraver-artist Annalisa Masini, belongs to the series “ITALIA DELLE ARTI” and has a circulation of 4,000 pieces.
The second coin, in silver with a face value of 5 euros, is dedicated to one of the most important vents in contemporary history, the fall of the Berlin Wall on its 30th anniversary. The obverse depicts the Berlin wall, with a colored mural in a stylized graphic. The legend “REPUBBLICA ITALIANA” surrounds the central motif around the rim. The year of issue “2019” is found above the wall; at the bottom in the center is the artist’s signature “V. DE SETA ”.
On the reverse, a colorful mural that shatters against the Wall in an explosion of colors and fragments of cement that break apart opening a breach within which the dove of peace appears. At the center of the field the value “5 EURO”; on the right, “R”, the identifier of the Mint of Rome; around, we read the inscription “30° ANNIVERSARIO DELLA
CADUTA DEL MURO DI BERLINO”.
The coin, made in Proof by the engraver-artist Valerio De Seta, has a circulation of 6,000 pieces.
Both coins, already available on the online site www.shop.ipzs.it, will be on display in the numismatic corner of the Library of the Treasury Department at the Ministry of the Economy Via XX Settembre and can be visited upon request. For access, please email [email protected].
