The characteristic ricotta cannolo and the Sicilian passito, but also the tortellini and Lambrusco from Emilia. And then a celebratory image of the great role of professions health, for the 450th anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri, the XNUMX years of the birth of Caravaggio. There are characters and symbolic subjects of Italy in the coins of the new numismatic collection coined by the State Mint. The homage not only to some excellences of gastronomy, but also to characters and historical events of our Italy. The collection was presented in recent days. From 26 January the coins can be purchased on the e-commerce portal of the Italian Mint, or in the points of sale of the Poligrafico and Mecca dello Stato. We present this collection homage to Italy.
State Mint, Sicily with two characteristic symbols
Among the fifteen subjects chosen there are two characteristic symbols of Sicily: the ricotta cannolo and the passito. A combination that, among other things, goes well with the taste. Because many Sicilians love to finish their meals with a tasty cannoli accompanied by an excellent passito. Here is the description that the State Mint makes on the 5 euro coin dedicated to Sicily. The obverse of the coin depicts the two Sicilian cannoli and a glass of Passito in the foreground. They are on a typical decoration of Caltagirone ceramics and a Baroque spiral column with Corinthian capital inspired by the interior of the Mother Church of Palazzolo Acreide.
In the arched composition, the inscriptions “REPUBBLICA ITALIANA” and “SICILIA”, separated by a stylized sea wave; below, on the right, the name of the author “COLANERI”. Coin with colored elements. On the reverse, instead, a composition of representative elements of Sicily: the Temple of Concordia of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, the stylized Ancient Theater of Taormina, an almond branch, a wave of the sea and the Triscele. And again a female head with three bent legs, also called Trinacria, symbol of Sicily and an integral part of the Sicilian flag. Above, around, the wording "SAPORI D'ITALIA" and the value "5 EURO"; on the left, "R", identification of the Mint of Rome; below, year of issue "2021".
Cannoli and its characteristics
Cannoli is one of the typical sweets of Sicilian pastry. It is made up of a fried dough wafer and a tasty filling made from sheep's milk ricotta. And it is said that in 70 BC Cicerone during a trip to Sicily he was fascinated by a “Tubus farinarius dulcissimo edulio ex lacte fartus”, that is, a tube of flour filled with soft milk cream. Passito is a must to accompany a good ricotta cannolo. It is a very famous wine and the best is considered that of Pantelleria Doc obtained from the sapling vine Zibibbo.
The subjects chosen by the Mint to pay homage to Italy
The choice of the new collection is very significant. In fact, as explained by the Mint "the topics covered by this edition - reads in a note - they want to represent a feeling of national unity and cohesion. Which finds expression in the celebration of characters, historical events and artists who are symbols of our tradition and our entrepreneurial culture. But also in gratitude to those who, in the last year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, have put their professionalism unreservedly at the service of the community".
And so in addition to Sicily you can find others subjects in the collection of the Mint. The 2 euro coin for the 150th anniversary of Rome, the capital of Italy; from 5 euros for the Cortina Alpine Ski World Championships; for the Nutella Italian Excellence Series, from 5 euros; Imperatori Series - Constantine from 10 euros; Grace Deledda; Italian Artists Series - Ennio Morricone from 5 euros. And then the 2 euro tribute to the health professions. The food and wine series dedicated not only to Sicily but also to Emilia-Romagna with tortellino and lambrusco, 5 euro coin.
Homage to Dante
And again the one for the 700th anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri and Hell, 20 gold and 5 euro silver coins. For the 450th anniversary of Caravaggio's birth, from 20 and 5 euros. And for the 150th anniversary of the invention of the telephone by Antonio Meucci, from 5 euros. For the Animals in danger of extinction series, the 5 euro one on the polar bear; the iconic Coin series, the 20 and 50 euro Lira; for the 100th anniversary of the Italian Basketball Federation from 10 euros.
"I believe that this collection - underlined Paolo Aielli, managing director of the Poligrafico e Mint dello Stato - has achieved a perfect balance between history, culture and art, between tradition and modernity. But at the same time it breaks the mold, projecting itself into the future of Italian numismatics, with themes increasingly adhering to the culture of our times".
