Nope, this is not a reference to some weird porn but to one of my recent silver additions, a beautiful 500 lire coin from Italy.
Let's have a close look and learn more about it
This 500 Lire was only minted in 1961 and it's a commerorative piece for the one hundredth anniversary since the Unification of Italy, which took place on 17 March 1861.
The Anniversary of the Unification of Italy (Italian: Anniversario dell'Unità d'Italia) is a national day that falls annually on 17 March and celebrates the birth of Italy as a modern nation state, which took place following the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy on 17 March 1861. source and more info
As you can see, on the observe we have a lady and on the other side a chariot. As for the engraved text, it's pretty much self explanatory.
The young woman holding an olive branch and a helmet is the national personification of Italy, and is one of the national symbols of the country that has been used for centuries since ancient Rome.
As for the chariot, it's technically known as a quadriga. It was dragged by four horses abreast and it was wildly used by the Roman Empire although it originates from the ancient Greeks.
The edge is also engraved
1° CENTENARIO VNITA D'ITALIA 1861-1961
For
First Centenary of the Unity of Italy 1861-1961
This is my second silver coin from Italy, you may remember my first one from this recent post. Here it is next to Columbus ships, Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria
When it comes to silver, both coins are identical, 11 g of 0.835 purity.
I did some googling, turns out there are a shit ton of silver commerorative 500 lire with all kinds of different designs. I guess I have to try and catch em all. Maybe one day, but not anytime soon. 😅
Ok, this is for today's short history lesson! Hope you liked it. As always, a final comparison photo with a silly euro coin
Stack on
References & Further Reading