970) Vespa, Italy: "Italian Excellence Collector Coin Series: A 5 Euro Silver coin in three selectively coloured variants brought out by "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato" (IPZS) on 12.04.2019:

970) Vespa, Italy: "Italian Excellence Collector Coin Series: A 5 Euro Silver coin in three selectively coloured variants brought out by "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato" (IPZS) on 12.04.2019:

For some other interesting posts from Italy, please visit the following links:

1) Historic Sassi (meaning "The Stones of Matera"): (I Sassi di Matera Basilicata): "Italy of the Arts Series": (Serie Italia della Arti): A 10 Euro Proof Silver Coin issued by the "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca Della Stato" (IPZS) on 19.09.2017

2) 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Vatican City State (1929-2009): A Vatican Euro Coin Set depicting Pope Benedict XVI on the Obverse, issued by Vatican City Mint in 2009

3) Amatrice: "Art Treasures of Amartice", Italy: A 5 Euro Bimetallic Commemorative Coin issued by Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato (IPZS) on 06.08.2018

4) Marco Polo, Explorer, Italy (1254-8/9.01.1324): A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued by Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca di Stato, the Italian State Mint (2018)

5) Vespa, Italy: "Italian Excellence Collector Coin Series": A 5 Euro Silver Coin in three selectively coloured variants brought out by "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato (IPZS) on 12.04.2019

The Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato (IPZS) has issued a new Silver Collector Coin on 12.04.2019, which focusses not only on Italian design and excellence, but specifically on one product which emerged from the economic boom after the end of World War II - the iconic Vespa.

In 1944, Piaggio engineers Renzo Spolti and Virrorio Casini put their ideas to paper and designed a motor-cycle with body-work that fully enclosed the drive-train and formed a tall splash guard at the front.

In addition to the body-work, the design included handlebar-mounted controls, forced air-cooling, wheels of small diameter and a tall central section that had to be straddled.

Incredibly forward-thinking at that time, the design was immediately well-received and, as a consequence, much of the original design was re-worked by aeronautical engineer Corradino D'Ascanio on the instructions of the management of Enrico Piaggio. Interestingly, upon seeing the re-designed proto-type model for the first time, Enrico Piaggio exclaimed "Sembra una vespa!" (meaning "It looks like a wasp"). Piaggio immediately named the new scooter "Vespa" (meaning a "wasp" in both Latin and Italian), which accurately described the new vehicle's body shape, which had a thicker rear part connected to the front part by a narrow waist and the steering rod resembling antennae.

On 23.04.1946, at 12.00 o'clock, and in the central office for inventions, models and makes of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Florence, Piaggio e C.S.p.A took out a patent for a "motor-cycle of a rational complexity of organs and elements combined with a frame with mud-guards and a casing covering the whole mechanical part."

Piaggio now planned to manufacture the new Vespa in large numbers, thanks to their long-standing industrial experience and an efficient volume assembly and production line. The scooter was presented to the press at Rome Golf Club, where journalists were quite "intrigued" by the strange , pastel coloured, toy-like object on display. Nevertheless, the road tests were very encouraging and  even with no rear suspension, the vehicle was more maneuverable and comfortable to ride than a traditional motor-cycle. 

Following its official launch and public debut at the 1946 Milan Fair, the first 50 vehicles sold slowly, but with the introduction of payment by instalments, sales took off with 2,500 Vespas being sold in 1947.over 10,000 in 1948, 20,000 in 1949 and over 60,000  sold in 1950.

Hollywood too, played its part in the promotion of the scooter, by creating an iconic image of Italy and Rome post-war. In the 1952 feature film titled "Roman Holiday", Audrey Hepburn side-saddled Gregory Peck's Vespa for a ride through Rome. Their "trek" through the city , which resulted in over 100,000 sales that year.

The Obverses of two variants of the 5 Euro Silver Collector Coin (white & green) shown along with the Reverse of the Coin at extreme right

Presently, after more than 73 years since its debut, the Vespa has had robust sales in practically every country on every continent and with 34 models the Vespa still enjoys the same popularity with young and old riders in metropolitan areas, suburbia, remote towns and villages. It is known that since their introduction, more than 16 million Vespas have been sold and are currently manufactured in 13 countries.

The Commemorative Collector Coins:

The Obverses of the three Variants of the Silver 5 Euro Coin all in different colours - red, green and white - show a boy and a girl on a modern model of the Vespa. In the background is an image of the Coliseum of Rome, perhaps, recreating the iconic ride through Rome of Hepburn and Peck in the "Roman Holiday". 

In the upper left is the name of the issuing country "REPUBBLICA ITALIANA". Further below  is the name of the designer "COLANERI".

               An image of the individual white-coloured Vespa Coin

              An image of the individual Green coloured Vespa Coin

              An image of the individual Red-coloured Vespa Coin

The Reverse of the 5 Euro Silver Coin shows a graphic composition of the profile and front views of the Vespa with Piaggio trade-mark elements and stylised features.

On top is mentioned the denomination of the Silver coin - "5 EURO' along with the name "VESPA" in the characteristic italics of the logo of the most fampous scooter in the world. 

At right is the mint mark of the Mint of Rome "R". The year of issue "2019" is towards the lower periphery.

The specifications of this 5 Euro Coin are:

Denomination: 5 Euro (x 3 variants); Metal Composition: .925 Silver (Ag); Weight: 18.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 32.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof (with applied colour); Maximum Mintage: 7,000 pieces; Mint: Mint of Rome; Coin issued by: Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato (IPZS); 

Each coin is encapsulated and housed in a branded IPZS Custom Case and accompanied by a numbered/serialised Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

The three-coin set is also available in a custom presentation.