3842) Marco Polo (1254-1324), Venetian Traveller, Italy: The Royal Dutch Mint (RDM), has brought out this special
Silver restrike of a Gold Florin: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2024:
Links to Posts on Marco Polo on this Blog:
1) 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)
2) Marco Polo (1254-1324), Venetian Traveller, Italy: The royal Dutch Mint (RDM) has brought out this special Silver strike of a Gold florin: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2024
In 2024, Marco Polo would have turned 770, almost as old
as the Italian gold florin! The Fiorino d'Oro is a trade coin he must have
taken with him on his travels.About Marco Polo:
Marco Polo (1254 – 8
January 1324) was a Venetian merchant, explorer and writer who travelled
through Asia along the Silk Road between 1271 and 1295.
His travels are recorded in “The Travels of Marco
Polo” (also known as “Book of the Marvels of the World and Il
Milione, c. 1300”, a
book that described the then-mysterious culture and inner workings of the
Eastern world, including the wealth and great size of the Mongol Empire and
China under the Yuan dynasty, giving Europeans their first comprehensive look
into China, Persia, India, Japan, and other Asian societies.
Born in Venice, Marco learned the mercantile trade from
his father and his uncle, Niccolò and Maffeo, who travelled through Asia and
met Kublai Khan.
In 1269, they returned to Venice to meet Marco for
the first time. The three of them embarked on an epic journey to Asia,
exploring many places along the Silk Road until they reached
"Cathay".
They were received by the royal court of Kublai
Khan, who was impressed by Marco's intelligence and humility. Marco was
appointed to serve as Kublai's foreign emissary, and he was sent on many
diplomatic missions throughout the empire and Southeast Asia, visiting
present-day Burma, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
As part of this appointment, Marco also travelled
extensively inside China, living in the emperor's lands for 17 years
and seeing many things previously unknown to Europeans.
Around 1291, the Polos offered to accompany the
Mongol princess Kököchin to Persia; they arrived there around 1293.
After leaving the princess, they travelled overland to Constantinople and then
to Venice, returning home after 24 years.
At this time, Venice was at war with Genoa.
Marco joined the war effort on behalf of Venice and was captured by the
Genoans.
While
imprisoned, he dictated stories of his travels to Rustichello da Pisa, a
cellmate.
He was released in 1299, became a wealthy
merchant, married, and had three children. He passed away in 1324 and
was buried in the church of San Lorenzo in Venice.
Though he was not the first European to reach
China, Marco Polo was the first to leave a detailed chronicle of his experience.
His account provided the Europeans with a
clear picture of the East's geography and ethnic customs, and it included the
first Western record of porcelain, gunpowder, paper money, and some Asian
plants and exotic animals.
His narrative inspired many other travellers.
There is substantial literature based on Polo's writings; he also influenced
European cartography, leading to the introduction of the Catalan Atlas and the
Fra Mauro map.
The Gold Florin (Florin d’oro):
- Now, 770 years later, we are celebrating
Marco Polo with the re-launch of a Florin d' Oro. This coin is minted, in both
silver and gold, 1 and 2 ounces.
- Almost simultaneously with the birth of Marco
Polo, a gold coin of some significance was minted for the first time in the
city of Florence: the Fiorino d'oro or florin, gold guilder.
- From then on, used for trade in Europe and
far beyond. This Silver re-strike of the gold
guilder comes in a luxury package, including a numbered Certificate of
Authenticity (COA).
The Silver Re-Strike:
The Reverse and Obverse of the Florin Silver Restrike
The re-strike of the Silver Coin shows on the Obverse the
city arms of Florence, a Fleur-de-lys, with caption: “✠ FLOR - ENTIA; Firenze”.
On the Reverse, an effigy of John the Baptist, the city's
patron saint, with caption: “✠ . S
. IOA / NNES . B.”
The re-strike features the year 2024 on the coin. This
special re-strike also revives the origin, rich past and authentic atmosphere
of our familiar Gulden (florin).
The Presentation Box/Case - Closed, placed in a shipper
The Presentation Box/Case with the Silver Coins - displayed
The Shipper/Coins with description of the Coin issue.
The specifications of this Coin are:
Metal Composition: Silver (Ag); Content: 999/1000; Weight:
1 troy ounce (31.1 g); Diameter: 38.70 mm; Coin Quality: Proof (P); Mintage: 300
pieces;Edge: Smooth.
The Twelve Apostles Coin Series:
1) "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
2) St.Andrew, Vatican Mint: A 10 Euro 22-gm Silver Proof Coin: The second Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2022
3) St. Peter and the Rooster star on latest Vatican 20 Euro coin issued by the CFN (Commercialzzone Filatelica E Numasmatica - Vatican City): "Art and Faith Coin Series: Year of Coin issue: 2024
4) St. Bartholomew, Vatican Mint: A 10 Euro 22 gm Silver Proof Coin: The Sixth Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2024
5) St. John, Vatican Mint: A 5 Euro 22-gm Silver Proof Coin: The Third Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2023
6) St. James the Greater, Vatican Mint: A 10 Euro 22-gm Silver Proof Coin: The Fourth Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2023
7) Saint Philip, Vatican Mint: A 5 Euro 22-gm Silver Prfoof Coin: The Fifth Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Dare/Year of Coin issue: 2024
For some other interesting posts from Italy/The Vatican, please visit the following links:
The Fountains of Italy Coin Series:
Other Links:
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 Philatelic 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
49) Around the World Voyage of the Amerigo Vespucci, Italy's oldest Naval Vessel: A 5 Euro Silv er Proof & Colour Coin presents the voyage of the v essel: Date of Coin issue: 08.03.2024
50) St. Peter and the Rooster star on latest Vatican 20 Euro coin issued by the CFN (Commercialzzone Filatelica E Numasmatica - Vatican City: "Art and Faith Coin Series: Year of Coin issue: 2024;
51) Pope Francis Coin Card, Vatican City: A 1 Euro Base Metal Coin: The Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica " (CFN) has issued a 1 Euro Copper Coin minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zella dello State (or State Mint and Polygraphic Institute - IPZS), Italy: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2024
52) The Vatican Coin Set: The "Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica" (CFN) has issued an eight (8) Copper-Nickel (CuNi) Coin Set minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato ("State Mint and Poligraphic Institute - IPZS"), Italy: Date/Year of Coin set issue: 2024
53) Concordat between the Holy See and the Republic of Poland, Poland: Rectangular Silver Proof Coins Mark the 100th Anniversary of the conclusion of the Concordat (1925-2025): Date/Year of Coin issue: 06.02.2025
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:
Rajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very informative and interesting post."
Thank you so much, Trikha sahab.
DeleteAshok Borate has commented:
ReplyDelete"Nice post. Thanks for sharing."
Thank you Ashokji.
DeleteRaj Kumar Srivastava has commented:
ReplyDelete"Informative."
Thank you so much, Raj.
Delete