1122) The Exquisite & Historic Cathedral of Milan, Italy: "Italy of the Arts" Coin Series which begun in 2012: A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued on 02.10.2019 minted by "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato" (IPZS):

1122) The Exquisite & Historic Cathedral of Milan, Italy: "Italy of the Arts" Coin Series which begun in 2012:  A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued on 02.10.2019 minted by "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato" (IPZS):

The  "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato" (IPZS) has issued a new Silver 10 Euro Proof Coin on 02.10.2019 that is a part of its popular series titled "Italy of the Arts", which first began in 2012.

The latest release features the Milan Cathedral - one of the world's most exquisite structures whose history adds to its beauty and mystery.

The Obverse of the 10 Euro Silver Proof Coin placed against a background image of the Milan Cathedral

About the Cathedral of Milan:

Constructed in the 14th Century, the Milan Cathedral (or Duomo di Milano, as it is known in Italian) is designed in the style of Rayonnant Gothic, whichwas prevalent from around 1240 AD and 1350 AD and was characterised by a shift in focus away from High Gothic.

Due to the allure of the Milan Cathedral's intricate and detailed façade, it remains one of the country's most visited landmarks. It was during 1386 AD, that Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo began construction of the cathedral.

However, it was only in 1805, the year of Napoleon's coronation as King of Italy, that the construction of the cathedral was completed. The history of the cathedral records that the last details of completion were finished only in the 20th Century, with the last gate being inaugurated on 06.01.1965.

This date marks the end of the construction process  of the cathedral, which had carried on for generations, although even now, some uncarved blocks still remain to be completed as statues.

The cathedral as a venue for coronations:

The cathedral was also the setting for some of Italy's most glittering coronations, namely that of Emperor Napoleon.

On 17.03.1805, about a year after the proclamation of the Empire in France, the Italian Republic was formally transformed into the Kingdom of Italy. Although it was called the "Kingdom of Italy", the territory in question extended only across Lombardy and to the Emilia Romagna.The rest of the peninsula, mostly made up of independent kingdoms themselves, did not acknowledge Napoleon as its Emperor.

The formal ceremony of coronation was held on 26.05.1805 at the Milan Cathedral. For the coronation, Napoleon included the Iron Crown of the Lombards, one of the oldest royal insignias of Christendom and a symbol of the Kingdom of Lombardy, in the ceremony. With this gesture, Napoleon had sought to highlight his Carolingoian credentials.

Another coronation took place when Ferdinand I of Austria (1793-1875) succeeded his father on the Imperial throne in 1835, although interestingly, there was no coronation ceremony in Vienna. However, his coronation as King of Lombardy-Venetia took place on 01.09.1838.

In 1848, Ferdinand abdicated voluntarily in favour of his nephew Franz Joseph, who was Emperor during much of the First World War. 

On the Obverse of the Silver Proof 10 Euro Coin is depicted the Duomo of Milan, a symbol of the capital of Lombardy, as seen from the Piazza del Duomo in Central Milan. The name of the designer "L.DE SIMONI" is seen vertically on the left; in exergue, the inscription-"REPUBBLICA ITALIANA" is placed towards the lower bottom, with decorative elements from the rose window of the cathedral seen below the text.

On the Reverse of the Silver Proof 10 Euro Coin is seen an intricate detail from the central stained-glass window of the presbytery of the Cathedral of Milan. 

In the centre is the inscription "MILANO" and the denominational value of the coin "10 EURO".

On the left of the primary design is seen the letter "R" (the Mint Mark of the Mint of Rome). The year of issue "2019" is on the centre right.

On the lower periphery is the inscription - ITALIA DELLE ARTI" (meaning "Italy of the Arts").

The specifications of the 10 Euro Silver Proof Coin are:

Denomination: 10 Euro; Metal Composition: .925 Silver; Weight: 22.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 34.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Edge: Discontinuous Coarse Milled; Designer: Luciana De Simoni; Mintage: 4,000 pieces; Mint: Mint of Rome; Year of issue: 2019.

Each coin is encapsulated and housed in a branded IPZS custom case and accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

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

Posts on the Eurostar Coin Programme on this Blog:

1) Europa Coin Programme: A series of six coins issued by the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint) with the theme "The Age of Iron & Glass" in January 2017

2) The Golden Age of Finnish Art: A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued by the Mit of Finland with the theme "The Age of Iron And Glass" on 20.02.2017

3) Baptism of Christ: 50 Euro Gold and 10 Euro Silver Coins issued by the Central Bank of Malta on the theme "Baroque and Rococo Art" on 14.03.2018

4) The "Baroque & Rococo Era" in France : Coins feature, The Hall of Mirrors, Rococo elements of the Palace of Versailles, philosopher Voltaire and the Dancing King Louis XIV in gold & silver coins issued during 2018, under the "Europa Coin Programme" 

5) Malta: Renaissance Era Ship design depicting the Order od St. John's "Gran Carracca Sant' Anna" features of the latest Europa Silver Star Programme issue from the Central Bank of Malta: Coin issue date: 15.03.2019

6) Spanish Renaissance: 200 Euro (4 Escudo) Gold and Silver 10 Euro (8 Reales) Collector Coins: "Europa Coin Programme" or the "Eurostar Coin Programme" depicted on Gold and Silver Coins issued by the Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre - Casa Real de la Moneda: Issue date: 27.05.2019

7) 500th Anniversary of the Birth of Tintoretto, Italy: "20 Euro Gold Coin": "Europa Coin Programme" ot the "Eurostar Coin Programme"depicted on Gold Coins issued by the Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato (IPZS): Coin issue date: 18.06.2019

8) The Exquisite & Historic Cathedral of Milan, Italy: "Italy of the Arts" Coin Series which began in 2012: A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued on 02.10.2019 minted by "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato" (IPZS)