Hover to zoom.
The Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS) has issued (14th September) new coins in gold and silver which pay tribute to the great fourteenth-century author Dante Alighieri on the 700th anniversary of his death. The coins focus on La Divina Commedia (“The Divine Comedy”), Dante’s most well-known work, and was composed during his exile, most likely between 1308 and 1321.
Following on from last year’s collector coins featuring artwork focusing on Inferno, the second collection is designed by the artist Claudia Momoni and highlights Purgatory. As such, a representation of this chapter of the Divine Comedy is encircled by the sea, the sun, and the stars. At the end of the last terrace is a wall of fire and the Divine Forest standing out on its top. Placed above the primary design along the edge is the inscription PURO E DISPOSTO A SALIRE A LE STELLE (“pure and willing to rise to the stars”), which is the closing verse of the cantica of Purgatorio. To the right is the denomination 20 EURO (gold) or 5 EURO (silver) and on the left is the mintmark R identifying the Mint of Rome. Below the main design is the year 2022, the year of the coin’s issue, and the name of the designer, MOMONI. The obverse side features a profile of Dante Alighieri, a detail inspired by a painting by Sandro Botticelli and which is housed in a private collection. Encircling the profile is the inscription REPUBBLICA ITALIANA with a star at its end.
The IPZS has produced the 20-euro coins in rhodium-plated .900 fine yellow gold, giving the coin a white or silver-coloured appearance with yellow-gold accents in the design.
| Denom. |
Metal |
Weight | Diameter | Quality |
Maximum Mintage |
| 5 euro |
.925 Silver |
18 g | 32 mm | Brilliant Unc. with applied colour |
6,000 |
| 20 euro |
.900 Gold |
6.45 g | 21 mm | Proof with gold plating |
1,500 |
Available from the 14th September, each silver coin is individually encapsulated and presented in an IPZS-branded custom case and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The Proof quality rhodium-plated gold coins are also encapsulated and presented in an IPZS-branded custom case and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please click here for the gold coin or here for the silver coin.
❑
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Related posts:
Perth Mint — Australia: Bounding kangaroo features on new high-relief colour and reverse-gilded silver Proof coins
Canada: New premium bullion range introduces the Majestic Polar Bear gold and silver coins
Canada: Second gold one-ounce bullion coin marking the Klondike Gold Rush released
Vatican City: New bi-metallic €5 commemorative coin remembers centenary of the death of Pope Benedict XV
Well, honestly the IPZS hasn’t spent anytime time to make this design attractive. As if they’re just trying to cash on the theme of Dante Alighieri’s Anniversary!
While mints are charging big premium from their clients ( and there are plenty of coins flooding the market) it becomes their moral responsibility to make sure the designs are well thought through and have an appeal.
In this year releases, I would only count Jawa 250 Cc ( Czech Mint) , Purple Heart Colorized coin ( US Mint), City views – London ( Royal Mint) as the designs that made the collector in me seek these coins !!