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Sunday, 25 July 2021

1951) "Constantine I", Italy: "Italian Emperors Coin Series": A 10 Euro Gold Coin, issued by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato" (IPZS): Year of Coin Release: 2021:

 1951) "Constantine I", Italy: "Italian Emperors Coin Series": A 10 Euro Gold Coin, issued by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato" (IPZS): Year of Coin Release: 2021:

This is one of the Celebratory Coins of the Numismatic Collection 2021, issued by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and minted by the State Mint. 

The collection consists of 15 subjects inspired by history, art, sport, science, nature and Italian food and wine excellences

Below are the subjects of the new Collection, 15 works which showcase Italian history:

150th Anniversary of the institution of Rome as the Capital of Italy – 2 Euros

World Alpine Ski Cortina – 5 Euros

Italian Excellences Nutella Series – 5 Euros (White, Red and Green)

Emperors series – Constantine – 10 Euros (Gold)

Prominent writers - Grace Deledda

Italian Artists Series – Ennio Morricone – 2 Bimetallic and Silver variants (5 Euros each)

Health Professions – 2 Euros

Food and Wine Series – Emilia-Romagna, tortellino and lambrusco – 5 Euros

Food and Wine Series – Sicily, cannolo and passito – 5 Euros

700th Anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri – Inferno – 2 Gold and Silver variants (20 and 5 Euros)

450th Anniversary of the Birth of Caravaggio – 2 gold and silver versions (20 and 5 Euros)

150th Anniversary of the invention of the telephone – Antonio Meucci – 5 Euros

Endangered Animals Series - Polar Bear – 5 Euros

Iconic Coin Series - Lira – 2 versions (20 and 50 Euros)

100th Italian Basketball Federation – 10 Euros

The themes, sketches and artistic techniques of the 2021 Collection have been chosen, as every year, by a Commission composed of representatives of the Ministry, the Mint and Masters of Art.

The Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS) has released new 10 Euro collector coins depicting Constantine I, under its "Italian Emperors Coin Series: 

Constantine I (27.02.272 AD – 22 May 337 AD), also known as Constantine the Great, was Roman Emperor from 306 AD to 337 AD. 

Born in Naissus, Dacia Mediterranea (now Niš, Serbia), he was the son of Flavius Constantius (a Roman army officer born in Dardania who had been one of the four emperors of the Tetrarchy). His mother, Helena, was Greek and of low birth. Constantine served with distinction under the Roman emperors Diocletian and Galerius. He began by campaigning in the eastern provinces (against barbarians, and the Persians) before he was recalled in the west (in 305 AD) to fight with his father in Britain. After his father's death in 306, Constantine became emperor; he was acclaimed by his army at "Eboracum" (York), England. He emerged victorious in the civil wars against emperors Maxentius and Licinius to become the sole ruler of the Roman Empire by 324.

As Emperor, Constantine enacted administrative, financial, social and military reforms to strengthen the empire. 

He restructured the government, separating civil and military authorities. 

To combat inflation he introduced the solidus, a new gold coin that became the standard for Byzantine and European currencies for more than a thousand years. 

The Roman army was reorganised to consist of mobile units ("comitatenses"), and garrison troops ("limitanei") capable of countering internal threats and barbarian invasions. 

Constantine pursued successful campaigns against the tribes on the Roman frontiers—the Franks, the Alamanni, the Goths and the Sarmatians—even resettling territories abandoned by his predecessors during the Crisis of the Third Century.

The Age of Constantine marked a distinct epoch in the history of the Roman Empire:

- He built a new imperial residence at Byzantium and renamed the city Constantinople (now Istanbul) after himself (the laudatory epithet of "New Rome" emerged in his time, and was never an official title). 

- It subsequently became the capital of the Empire for more than a thousand years. 

- He replaced Diocletian's Tetrarchy with the "de facto principle of dynastic succession", by leaving the empire to his sons and other members of the Constantinian dynasty. 

- His reputation flourished during the lifetime of his children and for centuries after his reign

The Commemorative Coin:

The Obverse and Reverse of the 10 Euro Gold Coin placed together

On the Reverse of the Ten Euro Gold Coin,  at the center, is depicted In the foreground, the Winged Victory, detail from the Arch of Constantin in Rome dedicated to this Roman Emperor to celebrate his victory over Massenzio in the Battle of Ponte Milvio.

On the upper periphery is the denomination of the coin - "10 EVRO" and at upper left is inscribed tha alphabet "R", (Mint Mark of the Mint of Rome); 

On the lower right is inscribed the year of the coin’s issue "2021" and, on the bottom right periphery going up to centre is - "CONSTANTINVS". 

On the left, the name of the designer, "A. MASINI"; on the right, the year of issue "2021"; in exergue is inscribed the denominational value "5 EURO" and "R", (mintmark of the Mint of Rome).

On the Obverse of the 10 Euro Gold Coin, is the Head of Constantine I, taken from the collosal marble statue kept in the Apse of the basilica of Maxentius in Rome and displayed in the Palazzo dei Conservatori (seat of the Musei Capitolini).

On the left and right peripheries, is the inscription "REPUBBLICA ITALIANA" (name of the issuing country - Italy) and the legend "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES" ("In this sign thou shalt conquer")

In exergue, is the name of the designer "U. PERNAZZA". 

The specifications of this Coin are:

Country of issue: Italy; Coin Series Theme: "Roman Emperors - CONSTANTINE"; Year: 2021; Denomination/Face Value: € 10.00 (Ten Euro); Metal Composition: .900 Fineness Gold  (Au); Weight: 3.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 13.85 mm; Shape: Scalloped sides; Coin Quality: Proof (P); Mintage: 1,200 pieces; Minted by: Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS);  Designer: Uliana Pernazza.

Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a branded IPZS case accompanied by a Certificate Of Authenticity (COA)









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












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