2708) Bergamo and Brescia, Italy: Five Euro Commemorative Copper Coins issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) commemorate the designated Italian Culture Capital Cities: Date/Year of Coin issue: 20.02.2023:
The Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) has issued new copper coins which mark the two cities of Bergamo and Brescia as the Italian capitals of culture.
What is the European Capitals of Culture initiative?:
- It is an initiative putting culture at the heart of European cities with EU support for a yearlong celebration of art and culture.
The European Capitals of Culture (ECOC) initiative is designed to:
- Highlight the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe.
- Celebrate the cultural features Europeans share.
- Increase European citizens' sense of belonging to a common cultural area.
- Foster the contribution of culture to the development of cities.
In addition to this, experience has shown that the event is an excellent opportunity for:
- Regenerating cities
- Raising the international profile of cities
- Enhancing the image of cities in the eyes of their own inhabitants
- Breathing new life into a city's culture
- Boosting tourism
The initiative was developed in 1985 and has, to date, been awarded to more than 60 cities across the European Union (EU) and beyond.
Designation of European Capitals of Culture:
- Six years before the title year the selected host Member States publish a call for applications, usually through their Ministry for Culture. Cities interested in participating in the competition must submit a proposal for consideration.
- The submitted applications are reviewed against a set of established criteria at the end of a pre-selection phase by a panel of independent experts in the field of culture or culture-based city development. The panel agrees on a short-list of cities, which are then asked to submit more detailed applications.
- The panel then reconvenes to assess the final applications and recommends one city per host country for the title. The relevant authority in the Member State concerned then formally designates the recommended city as European Capital of Culture.
- The role of the European Commission is to ensure that the rules established at EU level are respected all along the way.
- Moreover, cities in EU candidate countries, potential candidates or members of the European Free Trade Association party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (so-called EFTA/EEA countries) can also hold the title in 2022, 2024, 2028, 2030 and 2033. These cities are selected through an "open competition", meaning that cities from various countries may compete with each other.
In 2023, the following cities have been designated as the European Capitals of Culture:
Elefsina (Greece)
Veszprém (Hungary)
Timisoara (Romania)
Bergamo and Brescia (Italy)
The Italian cities of Brescia and Bergamo:
Brescia and Bergamo have been chosen as the 2023 Italian Capitals of Culture in recognition of their artistic and cultural heritage, innovation, and care in their development.
These two neighboring cities have rediscovered their similarities and have chosen to grow together.
Bergamo and Brescia are ancient lands that enclose in attractive landscapes, their archaic testimonies, folkloristic heritages, dialects, popular festivals and typical dishes.
These are lands of warm, hardworking people and who are always inclined towards sharing, innovation and relaunching their identity.
The Commemorative Coins:
The Header/Banner showcases the Obverse and Reverse of the 5.00 € (Five Euro) Copper Coin against a background image of the two cities.
The Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) has issued 5 Euro Copper Coins which commemorate the two cities of Italian capitals of culture.
Begun in 2015, the programme, which is organised by the Italian Ministry of Culture, seeks to highlight specific regions and historic cities for the year in terms of tourism, events, and performing arts.
The project was postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the Wuhan Virus (COVID - 19) pandemic.
The Obverse of the 5 Euro Copper Coin depicts, on the top row, noted and familiar historic buildings of the City of Bergamo, such as the Torre del Galgario, the Baptistery of the Cathedral, Porta San Giacomo, and the Palazzo della Ragione.
In the centre row, depicted are historic buildings of the City of Brescia, such as the castle known as the Falcone of Italy, the Palazzo della Loggia, and the Capitolium.
Featured on the lower row are two decorative motifs inspired by a floor mosaic of the Domus dell’Ortaglia of the ancient settlement of Brixia, an archaeological area which preserves the most remote traces of ancient Brescian culture that includes detail from the Palazzo della Ragione.
Below this detail is the name of the coins’ designer "U. PERNAZZA".
Shown above and below the primary design along the periphery is the inscription "REPUBBLICA" and "ITALIANA".
The Reverse of the 5 Euro Copper Coin highlights the detail of the Winged Victory Bronze Statue, which is a symbol of the city of Brescia.
Above and to the right of the head of Mercury is an element of decorative mosaic taken from a floor in the Domus dell’Ortaglia palace.
Shown further right are two geese and a floral motif inspired by the Palazzo della Ragione, and in the centre is a detail of the Northern Prothyrum of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Bergamo.
Above the primary design are the words "BERGAMO ◦ BRESCIA", and below is the commemorative inscription "CAPITALI ITALIANE DELLA CULTURA 2023".
Below the swans is the denomination "5 EURO". To the left of the head of Mercury is the mintmark "R", of the Mint of Rome.
The specifications of this Copper Coin are:
Country of issue: Republic of Italy ("Repubblica Italiana"); Denomination: 5 Euro; Coin Theme: Bergamo & Brescia - Italian Capitals of Culture - 2023"; Date/Year of issue: 20.02.2023; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Copper (Cu); Weight: 15.00 grams; Dimensions/Size: 32.00 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Minted By: Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS); Designer: Uliana Pernazza; Mintage: 4,000 pieces; Edge: Continuous Knurling; Packaging: Presentation Case.
7) Michelangelo's "Pieta", Vatican City: New Copper Coin Series titled "Art and Faithy": A 10 Euro Copper Coin minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of the "Ufficio Filatelico e Numismatico Governatorato della Cotta del Vaticano": Coin issue date: 05.03.2020
8) Ancient Postal Routes, Vatican City State: EUROPA 2020 Theme: Two stamps of 1.10 Euro and 1.15 Euro issued by the Ufficio filatelico e Numismatico -Governatorato, Vaticano featuring Ancient Postal Routes emanating from the Vatican City State during the 6th & 11th Centuries AD
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