Stacks Bowers is buying and selling all rare coins and currency

HomeWorld CoinsItaly 2015 Centennial of the Avezzano Earthquake 5 Euro Silver Coin

Italy 2015 Centennial of the Avezzano Earthquake 5 Euro Silver Coin

Description:

On January 13, 1915, a massive earthquake rocked central Italy, killing more than 30,000 people and destroying or damaging structures throughout the affected regions. Receiving the brunt of the damage was the Italian town of Avezzano in the Abruzzo region. One of the key structures in the town was a historic church dedicated to the Apostle Bartholemew – which itself was no stranger to violent earthen tremors, having been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times as far back as the mid 14th century.

To commemorate the Centennial of this tragic natural disaster, Italy has produced a limited mintage silver five-euro coin.

 

Obverse: The facade and gardens leading to Saint Bartholomew’s Cathedral in Avezzano. Mountains, trees, and buildings are visible in the background. The version of the church depicted was built in the early 1700s, after a series of massive earthquakes struck the Apennines in January 1703. These quakes destroyed an earlier version of the church. Wrapping around the top rim is the legend REPUBBLICA ITALIANA. In the exergue is the inscription: AVEZZANO. The designer’s credit is located below in smaller text and reads COLANERI.

Reverse:  Showing the aftermath of the quake, Saint Bartholomew’s Cathedral is once again visible. This time, its crumbling facade stands in the midst of ruins. Beams jut out from the rubble. Broken wheels add to the devastation. In the background are the Apennine mountains. The “R” mintmark of the Roman mint is located above the church as the 2 o’clock position. In large text the numeral 5 appears on the coin’s left. Below is the denomination EURO. The exergue is delineated from the main body of the coin by tremor lines, which cut into the landscape. At the very bottom of the coin is the dual date: 1915 2015.

Designer(s): Maria Grazia Colaneri is a prolific sculptor and engraver of coins for the Italian Mint. View Designers Profile.

Coin Specifications:

Country:  Italy
Year Of Issue:  2015
Denomination:  5 Euro
Mint Mark:  R (Rome)
Mintage:  5,000
Alloy:  .925 Silver
Weight:  18 grams
Diameter:  32 mm
OBV Designer  Maria Grazia Colaneri
REV Designer  Maria Grazia Colaneri
Quality:  Uncirculated

 

Keep up with all the latest coin releases from the world mints by clicking on CoinWeek’s World Coin Profiles Page.

CoinWeek IQ
CoinWeek IQ
With CoinWeek IQ, the editors and writers of CoinWeek dig deeper than the usual numismatic article. CoinWeek IQ provides collectors and numismatists with in-depth information, pedigree histories, and market analysis of U.S. coins and currency.

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

PCGS Set Registry

J Durham Coin Auctions

David Lawrence Rare Coins Auctions