Feature: The 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy
Description: The inner part of the coin shows,
in the centre, three Italian flags fluttering in the wind, to mark three
past periods of 50 years each – the periods ending in 1911, 1961 and
2011 respectively – in illustration of a perfect link between
generations: this is the logo of the 150th anniversary of the
unification of Italy. Written in a semi-circle along the upper outer
edge around the three flags is the inscription “150° DELL’ UNITÁ
D’ITALIA” (150th anniversary of the unification of Italy), with the
letters “RI” superimposed on one another off-centre to the right in
indication of the issuing country, the Republic of Italy. Beneath the
three flags stand the dates “1861 › 2011 › ›”. Centred below the dates
is the mintmark “R”, with the letters “ELF INC.”, the initials of the
artist Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini and the first three letters of the
Italian name of his profession (incisore) along the bottom edge to the
right. The 12 stars of the European Union are depicted on the coin’s
outer ring.