750th anniversary of the birth of Dante Alighieri • San Marino 2015

Introduction

In 2015, the Republic of San Marino issued a two-euro commemorative coin to celebrate the 750th anniversary of the birth of Dante Alighieri, a famous Florentine writer. This poet, born in 1265, wrote the “Divine Comedy”, a monumental work of Italian and world literature. Therefore, this coin honors Dante’s exceptional contribution to culture and literature.

Coin description

The two-euro coin features a distinctive design rich in symbolism. On the obverse, there is a left profile of Dante Alighieri, easily recognizable by his characteristic features and his typical headdress. This portrait is inspired by the many artistic representations of the writer throughout the centuries. In addition, to the right of the portrait, a vertical band features the name “DANTE” written in stylized letters. This choice of presentation highlights the poet’s name in an elegant and striking way.

Furthermore, the inscription “SAN MARINO” appears to the right of the vertical band, following a curve that follows the shape of the coin. The dates “1265 2015”, located below this inscription, indicate the year of Dante’s birth and the year of commemoration. In addition, the letter “R”, the initial of the Mint of Rome, is to the left of the vertical band, while the artist’s initials, “MCC”, appear at the bottom right of the portrait.

In addition, the outer border of the coin features twelve stars, representing the twelve stars of the European flag. This inclusion highlights Dante’s importance not only to Italy but to the whole of Europe. Thus, all elements of the design contribute to highlighting the cultural and historical significance of the coin.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the San Marino two-euro coin issued in 2015 commemorates the 750th anniversary of the birth of Dante Alighieri and features a design rich in symbolism and artistic details. The choice of Dante’s portrait and the inscriptions reinforce the importance of this poet for European culture. Therefore, this coin honours Dante’s memory and recalls his invaluable contribution to literature. In short, this commemorative coin embodies the cultural heritage shared by the member countries of the European Union.

Country of Issue:
Date of issue:	April 8, 2015
Total mintage:	102.400
– Proof:	2.400
– BU:	100.000
– UNC:	–
Engraver:	Annalisa Masini
The edge:
Rarity:
Official Journal:	2015/C 143/06
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