Friday, 15 March 2024

3220) Pesaro, Italy: The Italian City designated as the Italian City designated as the 2024 European Capital of Culture (ECOC): Date of Coin issue: 26.01.2024:

3220) Pesaro, Italy: The Italian City designated as the Italian City designated as the 2024 European Capital of Culture (ECOC): Date of Coin issue: 26.01.2024:

Links to other posts on European Capitals of Culture Posts - 2024:





The Header/Banner showcases the Obverse and Reverse of the 5 Euro Copper Coin against a background representation of the landmarks shown on the coin.

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.

Designated European Capitals of Culture:

European Capitals of Culture have already been designated until the year 2028.

They are as follows:

2024: Bad Ischl (Austria), Tartu (Estonia) and Bodø (Norway), Pesaro (Italy)

2025: Chemnitz (Germany) and Nova Gorica (Slovenia)

2026: Oulu (Finland) and Trenčín (Slovakia)

2027: Liepāja (Latvia) and Évora (Portugal)

2028: České Budějovice (Czech Republic), Skopje (North Macedonia, pending formal endorsement) and a city in France

Competitions are running for title-years 2028, 2029 and 2030.

About the historic city of Pessaro, Italy:

This historic location, also known as the birthplace of Gioacchino Rossini (1792 – 1868), one of the most famous opera composers has been chosen as the Italian Capital of Culture 2024. 

 The annual project is promoted by Italy’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism that involves selecting one Italian city each year to promote its culture and artistic heritage. 

Pesaro, a municipality on Italy’s Adriatic coast in the region of Marche is a vibrant city that offers its visitors a wide range of cultural opportunities. Its nomination as Capital of Culture represents an unmissable opportunity to discover all that this wonderful city has to offer. 

As part of the festivities during the year, numerous cultural events and initiatives have been planned for the occasion. The events will involve not only the city of Pesaro, but also other locations in the Marche region. Concerts, art exhibitions, theatre performances, music festivals and much more will be organised to celebrate the culture and artistic beauty of the region. The selection of Pesaro as Capital of Culture 2024 is an important recognition for the city and immediate region as well as an opportunity to highlight its rich cultural heritage. 

The Coins:

The coins are designed by Uliana Pernazza who  featured the immortal beauty of the Palazzo Ducale, the Fontana di Piazza del Popolo, and the magnificence of the Rocca Costanza. 

The Obverse of the 5 Euro Copper Coin focuses on a front-facing view of the Ducal Palace of Pesaro and is placed in the background. 

In front is a detailed representation of the fountain in Piazza del Popolo, known as ‘the pupil of Pesaro’. Above the primary design is the text "REPUBBLICA" and placed below, "ITALIANA" with the name of the designer U.PERNAZZA placed to the lower right. 

The Reverse of the 5 Euro Copper Coin features a detail of the Rocca Costanza to the lower left, an imposing 15th century fortress, commissioned by Costanzo Sforza. 

To the right, is a detailed representation of a Caryatid from the Villa Imperiale, an ancient noble residence on the hills of Pesaro. Along the upper left and right rim is the inscription "CAPITALE ITALIANA DELLA CULTURA 2024" along with the text "PESARO" placed to the left. The denomination 5 EURO is shown above the Fortress and the mintmark "R" identifying the Mint of Rome is placed just to the right of the Caryatid. 

The specifications of the 5 Euro Copper Coin are:

Country of issue: Republic of Italy; Coin Theme: European Capital of Culture (ECOC); Denomination: 5 Euro; Metal Composition: Copper; Weight: 15 grams; Diameter/Size: 32 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Mintage: 4,500 pieces;  Designer: Uliana Pernazza; 

- Available from the 20th February, each coin is encapsulated and presented in a heavy-gauge card case with magnetic closure. 

- The specifications and certificate of authenticity is printed on the case.

































35) St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican (San Pietro in Vaticano), Republic of Palau: "Tiffany Art Metropolis Coin Series - San Pietro": Coin Invest Trust (CIT) has coordinated the issue of $500 (Gold) and $25 (Silver Coins minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt GmbH at their facilities in Munich: Year of Coin issue: 2022

36) "The Twelve Apostles", Vatican City: The Twelve Apostles Coin Series: The first Silver Coins of 5- and 10-Euro minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of "Coommercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica" (CFN) feature St. Peter & St. Andrew: Date of Coins issued: 10.11.2022

37) "Towards the Holy Year 2025", Vatican City: A 200 Euro Gold Coin issued by the Commercializzazone Filatelica e Numismatica (CFN) to commemorate the three-year programme (2022-2023-2024) culminting in 2025: Date/Year of Coin issue: 19.12.2022

38) "Bergamo and Brescia", Italy: Five Euro Commemorative Copper Coins issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) showcases the designated Italian Cultural Capital Cities: Date/Year of Coin issue: 20.02.2023

39) Luigi Vanvitelli (12.05.1700-01.03.1773), Architect and Painter, Italy: 250th Anniversary of his passing away: Five Euro (Silver) and Twenty Euro (Gold) Coins issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) commemorate this celebrated Baroque Era Architect: Date/Year of Coin issue: 21.02.2023

40) "The Lateran Pacts between the Italian State and the Holy See", Vatican City State: 90th Anniversary Celebrations (1929-2019): The Ufficio Filetelco E. Numismatico (Office of the Philetelic and Numismatic Bureau of the Vatican) has issued an embroidered postage stamp of 8.40 Euro depicting the Coat of Arms of the Vatican City State: Date/Year of Stamp issue: 2019 (Reissued on 12.12.2022)

41) Environmental Protection as enshrined in the Italian Constitution, Italy: A Square-shaped bi-metallic Silver and Copper 5 Euro Coin brought out by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) highlights environmental protection in the Italian constitution: Date of Coin issue: 27.04.2023

42) "The Resurrection of Christ" ("CHRISTVS RESVRREXIT"), Vatican City State: Rectangular-shaped Silver Proof and Colour Coins feature Renaissance painter Pietro Vannucci's (also known as "Perugino") masterpiece, presently in the Apostolic Palace Library: Date/Year of Coin issue: 04/2023

43) The Second Vatican Council - Nostra Aetate (In Our Time), Vatican City State: A 100 Euro Gold Coin minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome on behalf of the Treasury Department of the Vatican City State: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023

44) The history of the Olympics in Italy - TRiTTICO Cortina 1956, Rome 1960, Turin 2006, Republic of Italy (Repubblica Italiana): Three 20 Euro Gold Coins issued by the Istututo Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) celebrate the selection of 2026 Winter Olympics in the City of Cortino Italy: Date/Year of Coin issue: 07.09.2023

45) A Euro Coin Set - 2018, Vatican City State: An eight (8) Coin Set issued by the Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica on Euro Coins: Coins minted by the IPZS Italy on behalf of the "Stato Della Citta Del Vaticano" (The Vatican City State") in 2018

46) Remembrance to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Vatican City: Coins issued by Commercializzazione Filetelica e Numismatica on 10 Euro Silver Coins: Coins minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) Italy on behalf of the "Stato Della Citta Del Vaticano" ("The Vatican City State"): Date of Coin issue: 26.10.2023

47) The Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome on behalf of the Treasury Department of the Vatican City State has issued the first of two commemorative 10 Euro coins which mark 2025 and the Holy Year Pilgrims of Hope: Date/Year of Coins issue: 12/2023

48) Pesaro, Italy: The Italian City designatied as the 2024 European Capital of Culture (ECOC):Date of Coin issue: 26.01,2024

Posts on the Ryder Cup on this Blog:

i) The 2014 Ryder Cup Commemorative Banknote: Commemorating the Ryder Cup, Europe with a 5 Pound Sterling Banknote issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland

ii) The 44th Ryder Cup held in Italy: 10 Euro Silver Coins with applied colour and concave centre brought out by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) marks the conduct of the prestigious Ryder Cup in Italy for the first time: Date of Coin issue: 18.09.2023

Italian Excellence Coin Series:




2 comments:

  1. Santosh Khanna has commented:
    "A VERY interesting and informative post. Thanks for sharing."

    ReplyDelete