2017-07-06 Thu

Italy released a special 2 Euro Bimetallic Commemorative coin celebrating St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. The structure is one of the best representations of Byzantine architecture. Its construction began in 1063 and was completed in 1617. A chapel was already built at the same spot in the ninth century to keep the earthly remains of St. Mark who was transferred to Venice from Alexandria.

The obverse features the façade of the monument. Other inscriptions include “1617” and “2017”; a monogram of the Italian Republic “RI”; “SAN MARCO”; initials “LDS” of designer Luciana De Simoni; “VENEZIA”, the letter “R” for the mint of Rome; 12 stars of the European Union.

The reverse features the common design used on all euro zone coinage. The mintage limit of this 8.50 g coin is 8,000 (Proof) pieces. It is made of a Nickel Inner Core and Copper-Nickel Outer Ring. The coin’s edge is fine milled and inscribed