One of the first precious metal coins to be launched by the Italian mint IPZS (Istituto Poligrafico E Zecca Dello Stato) has launched and it celebrates one of Italy’s favourite sons, Enzo Ferrari. Born in 1898 and dying ninety years later, Enzo Ferrari was one of the greatest names to ever grace the automotive world. There are very few figures in motoring to hold the level of admiration captured by this man, and those that don’t know the man, certainly know the surname, now considered about the most powerful brand in the world.

The coin has been released as part of the Europa Star programme. Struck in 22g of sterling (0.925) silver, it’s definitely focused on the man and not his work, there being no sign of a car, road or racing, anywhere on it. The reverse carries a portrait of Enzo Ferrari in later life, next to which is a horse rampant, the basis for one of the most famous logo’s in the world. His name, the denomination, and the date are also inscribed on the reverse face. The obverse has a female face representing Italy encircled by a five-pointed star with details from the coat of arms of the Italian Republic: a cogwheel, oak and olive branches. Above, between two points of the star, a towered crown; below, the logo of the Europa Star Programme and the name of the designer “COLANERI” (Maria Carmela Colaneri); below, on the right, “R”, identifying the Mint of Rome; around, “REPUBBLICA ITALIANA”

As a design we like the obverse, but as a car nut, would like to have seen a more dynamic design on the reverse face. The point is to celebrate the man rather than the machines, so no doubt we’re all better off that the mint is designing the coin and not me. Thankfully free of colour, many mints would’ve plastered red paint all over it, it’s a good one for the Ferrari afficionado, something the world is full of. Available to order now, the IPZS price for one of the 8,000 coins to be minted is €60.00. Demand will determine if the price is higher or lower at aftermarket dealers.

FERRARI: THE COMPANY

Enzo Ferrari was not initially interested in the idea of producing road cars when he formed Scuderia Ferrari in 1929, with headquarters in Modena. Scuderia Ferrari  literally means “Ferrari Stable” and is usually used to mean “Team Ferrari.” Ferrari bought, prepared and fielded Alfa Romeo racing cars for gentlemen drivers. In 1933 Alfa Romeo withdrew its in-house racing team and Scuderia Ferrari took over as its works team: the Scuderia received Alfa’s Grand Prix cars of the latest specifications and fielded many famous drivers such as Tazio Nuvolari and Achille Varzi. In 1938 Alfa Romeo brought its racing operation again in-house, forming Alfa Corse in Milano and hired Enzo Ferrari as manager of the new racing department; therefore the Scuderia Ferrari was disbanded.

In September 1939 Enzo Ferrari left Alfa Romeo under the provision that he would not use the Ferrari name in association with races or racing cars for at least four years. A few days later he founded Auto Avio Costruzioni, headquartered in the facilities of the old Scuderia Ferrari. The new company ostensibly produced machine tools and aircraft accessories. In 1940 Ferrari did in fact produce a race car – the Tipo 815, based on a Fiat platform. It was the first Ferrari car and debuted at the 1940 Mille Miglia, but due to World War II it saw little competition. In 1943 the Ferrari factory moved to Maranello, where it has remained ever since. The factory was bombed by the Allies and subsequently rebuilt including a works for road car production.

The first Ferrari-badged car was the 1947 125 S, powered by a 1.5 L V12 engine; Enzo Ferrari reluctantly built and sold his automobiles to fund Scuderia Ferrari. The Scuderia Ferrari name was resurrected to denote the factory racing cars and distinguish them from those fielded by customer teams. In 1988, Enzo Ferrari oversaw the launch of the Ferrari F40, the last new Ferrari to be launched before his death later that year, and arguably one of the most famous supercars ever made. Ferrari is the world’s most powerful brand according to Brand Finance. In May 2012 the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO became the most expensive car in history, selling in a private transaction for $38,115,000 to American communications magnate Craig McCaw.

Scuderia Ferrari has participated in several classes of motorsport, though it is currently only officially involved in Formula One. It is the only team to have competed in the Formula One World Championship continuously since its inception in 1950. José Froilán González gave the team its first F1 victory at the 1951 British Grand Prix.

Alberto Ascari gave Ferrari its first Drivers Championship a year later. Ferrari is the oldest team in the championship, and the most successful: the team holds nearly every Formula One record. As of 2014, the team’s records include 15 World Drivers Championship titles, 16 World Constructors Championship titles, 221 Grand Prix victories, 6736.27 points, 679 podium finishes, 207 pole positions, and 230 fastest laps in 890 Grands Prix contested. Of the 19 tracks used in 2014, 8 have lap records set by the Ferrari F2004, with a further 3 set by the Ferrari F2003-GA, Ferrari F2008 and Ferrari F10.

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SPECIFICATION

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION WEIGHT DIAMETER FINISH MINTAGE BOX / COA
€10 EURO 0.925 SILVER 22.0 g 34.0 mm PROOF 8,000 YES / YES