Introduction
In 2016, the Republic of San Marino issued a two-euro commemorative coin to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, a prominent English writer. Born in 1564, Shakespeare is known for his many theatrical and poetic works that have left their mark on world literature. Therefore, this coin honors the memory and lasting impact of Shakespeare on culture and literature.
Coin description
The two-euro coin features a distinctive design rich in historical details. On the obverse, there is a portrait of William Shakespeare, instantly recognizable by his characteristic features and Elizabethan collar. This portrait is inspired by classical representations of the writer, offering a faithful and respectful image of his appearance. In addition, to the left of the portrait, the inscription “William Shakespeare” is engraved in elegant letters, emphasizing the identity of the famous playwright.
Furthermore, the dates “1616-2016” appear on the right of the portrait, indicating the year of his death and the year of commemoration. In addition, at the bottom right of the portrait, the initials “MB” appear, representing the artist who designed the coin. On the left, the letter “R” indicates the Mint of Rome, responsible for minting this coin. The inscription “San Marino” is found at the bottom right, highlighting the issuing country.
In addition, the outer border of the coin features twelve stars, symbolising the twelve stars of the European flag. This inclusion emphasises Shakespeare’s importance not only to England but to the whole of Europe. Thus, all elements of the design reinforce the cultural and historical significance of this commemorative coin.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the San Marino two-euro coin issued in 2016 commemorating the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare features a design rich in symbolism and artistic details. The choice of Shakespeare’s portrait and the inscriptions highlight the importance of this playwright for European culture. Therefore, this coin honours Shakespeare’s memory and recalls his invaluable literary legacy. In short, this commemorative coin embodies the cultural heritage shared by the member countries of the European Union, while celebrating an iconic figure of world literature.
| Country of Issue: |  |
| Date of issue: | September 22, 2016 |
| Total mintage: | 80.000 |
| – Proof: | 0 |
| – BU: | 80.000 |
| – UNC: | 0 |
| Engraver: | Matt Bonaccorsi |
| The edge: |  |
| Rarity: |   |
| Official Journal: | 2016/C 153/05 |
| My collection: | Je n'ai pas cette pièce (0) Please login to bookmarkClose |
Do you want to know the technical specifications of this coin? Feel free to visit the page dedicated to the specifications of a 2-euro coin.
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