2017-09-27 Wed

A 5 euro .925 fine Proof silver commemorative coin was released by Italy on 18th September to celebrate the 200th birth anniversary of Francesco De Sanctis. She is considered to be one of the greatest historians of 19th-century Italian literature. This amazing philosopher, writer and politician was also known for Romantic criticism. She laid the foundation for modern aesthetics through her History of Italian literature that she wrote between 1870 and 1871. It is also considered to be the best on literary historiography.

A portrait of Francesco De Sanctis by Francesco Saverio Altamura, currently situated at the Museum San Martino in Naples, is recreated on the obverse. Other inscriptions include “REPUBBLICA ITALIANA”, name of the designer “A. MASINI” along with bay laurel leaves which denotes wisdom.

An allegory of Literature using inkwell symbolic of writing is shown on the reverse. Some works by De Sanctis engraved on her hair. Other inscriptions include “FRANCESCO DE SANCTIS”; “R”, “5 EURO”, 1817”, “2017” and bay laurel leaves.

Mintage limit of this 18.00 g .925 Silver 5 euro Proof Coin is 3,000 and each coin costs € 50.00 VAT excl.