2016-10-06 Thu

The Italian State Mint issued this year’s second coin belonging to the “Italy of Art” series celebrating the history and beauty of the island of Sardinia on 23rd September. From almost 1700 BC to 200 AD, the Nuragic civilization blossomed in Sardinia.

The autonomous state of Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea which is known for a culture influenced by Phoenician, Greek, Carthaginian, and Roman civilizations. The prehistoric finds have documented the civilizations that have lived here over 6000 years. The Nuragic era comes from the Bronze-Age nuraghi (rounded stone structures) constructed by its people for rulers, religious leaders, or other individuals, or served as meeting halls or fortresses.

The obverse features a miniature depiction of a Sardinian bronze statuette of a Nuragic warrior. It also depicts a circular geometric design from a Nuragic terra-cotta “pintadera” which is a small clay disc with symmetrical designs. Other inscriptions include the artist’s name, CASSOL and REPUBBLICA ITALIANA.

The reverse features a Sardinian bronze statuette of an archer that is on display at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Cagliari. A transenna—a geometric screen of stone shown on a bronze Nuragic-era votive boat, is also portrayed. Other inscriptions on the obverse include ITALIA / DELLE / ARTI, 2016, letter R, signifying the Mint of Rome, 10 EURO and SARDEGNA.

Both sides of the coin have mirrored fields and frosted devices. The mintage limit of this 10 €URO .925 silver 22 g Proof coin is 4,000.