Pisa cathedral was consecrated nine centuries ago and Italy marks the date with a new silver coin

Italy has debuted a new sterling silver coin and it’s another showcasing the extraordinary architectural history of this Mediterranean country. One of the most iconic buildings in Italy is without question the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Lesser known but no less impressive is the cathedral on the same site called The Medieval Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. This impressive structure was completed in the latter half of the eleventh century and was consecrated by Pope Gelasius II in 1118, exactly 900 years ago and the basis for this new coin.

Many Italian silver coin issues tend towards the simpler design ethos, often having the subject displayed with plenty of negative space around them, but this one is relatively packed with detail. The reverse face has a well realised drones-eye view of the cathedral building, in front of which is the iconic leaning tower. The obverse is an attractive composite of details from the cathedrals decoration which, as you’d expect from a medieval cathedral, is both extensive and impressive.

This €5 denominated coin weighs 18g and has a mintage of 4,000 pieces. It will sell for €43.00 and is available to order now. One of the best from the IPZS we’ve seen recently and a fine coin for the collector.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The Medieval Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Pisa, together with the Baptistery and the famous Leaning Tower, bears witness to the prestige achieved by the city as one of the most important Maritime Republics. Architect Buscheto started building this masterpiece of Pisan Romanesque architecture in 1063 as an extraordinarily harmonious combination of classical, Gothic, LombardEmilian, Byzantine and Islamic elements. Te Cathedral rises in the centre of the piazza dei Miracoli which is also a UNESCO Heritage Site.

OBVERSE: view of piazza dei Miracoli with the Baptistery, the Leaning Tower and Pisa Medieval Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. At the base of the Leaning Tower, the name of the designer “A. MASINI”; around, the inscription “REPUBBLICA ITALIANA”.

REVERSE: detail from Pisa Cathedral flanked by a bronze tile from the Cathedral’s Door of Saint Ranieri by Bonanno Pisano. Above, the dates “1118 2018”, the year of the Cathedral’s consecration and that of the coin’s issue respectively; in exergue, the value “5 EURO”; around, the inscription “CONSACRAZIONE DEL DUOMO DI PISA”.