numismatic jubilee between culture and collecting
Museum of stamps and coins and San Marino numismatic association together on 12 November for the jubilee of the coinage of the Titan
by Antonio Castellani | He wrote Clelio Galassi in 1977, in the preface to the essay The monetary system and the gold coin of San Marino: “There are ‘truths’ which constitute a fixed point in the life of peoples and states, regardless of whether they are large or small. In addition to legal systems, territory, politics, history, money also assumes a role such that it must be included in ‘truths’. The coin is in fact the most authentic proof of political existence, of economic prosperity and industriousness, even of the freedom of a people ”.
The last “ancient” coins of the Titan had seen the light in 1938 and a new one was needed Monetary Convention, signed with Italy on 10 September 1971so that the Titan can resume the minting in its own name at the Mint of Rome.
An act that represented the culmination of a path that arose from an already strong feeling both in the people and in the institutions to the point that, on the centenary of the first coinage of the Tre Penne, in the year 1964, the artist Erminio Varisco had chosen to combine the effigy of the first coin – the 5 cents of 1864 – with a verse from Virgil, “Tulit alters honors”Which, not without regret, highlighted how“ others had the honors ”of minting coins in their own name.
1972: San Marino resumes minting coins
The first series of “modern” coins of San Marino saw the light in 1972, by virtue of the Regency Decree 6 December n. 37 and was all centered – in the cones signed by Guerrino Mattia Monassi and in the magnificent 500 lire in silver Maternity modeled by the master Giacomo Manzù – on the patron saint and on the history of the Republic.
And it was a success, both in terms of popularity with the population and collectors of all the world; a success repeated the following year with the divisional entrusted to Guido Veroi and embellished with a 500 lire by Emilio Greco and, later, with the many issues denominated in lire, scudi and euro that the Titano coined, uninterruptedly, during the ‘last half century and which have brought to the world the identity of the small Republic, its values of peace and cooperation, its history and its “illustrious”.
In the last half century, San Marino has minted types of coins on different themes, from ecology to history, from sports to major events and the values of social coexistence entrusting them to artists and also leading to the discovery of new, young talents of the burin: a “big” vision that the Titan has not given up .
Fifty years of coinage are therefore a milestone to celebrate, even – perhaps a nation – especially for a small one like the Republic of San Marino, which is why since MFM Museum of stamps and coins – inaugurated in July 2021 and which can already boast almost twenty thousand visitors – the idea was launched, welcomed by public institutions andSan Marino numismatic associationto create a special day, a “jubilee” of the modern coinage of the Titan.
The cultural event and the trade conference on November 12th
With the patronage of the Secretariats of State for Finance, Culture and Tourism, the cultural event will therefore be held on Saturday 12 November 1972-2022: fifty years of coins in San Marino which, in the prestigious seat of the Kursaal Congress Center in San Marino City, will also see the “San Marino Numismatics” trade conference in which, at the invitation of the organizers, numerous high-level professional operators will take part.
Institutional actors will also be involved in this “San Marino numismatic jubilee” starting with Poste San Marino SPA which, through the Philatelic and Numismatic Departmentit will carry out a special issue dedicated to the modern coinage of the Titan, to continue with the Museum of the postage stamp and the coin which will exhibit some “hidden treasures”.
There will be further initiatives: the historic Florentine company Picchiani & Barlacchi of Florencefor example, he will be there to celebrate his own 120 years of activity in the field of the medal while Nomisma Editore will present to the public the new volume by Claudio Bugani entitled The never born paper money of San Marino.
In the afternoon, a study meeting dedicated to numismatics of San Marino during which the connoisseurs, artists and researchers will retrace crucial aspects related to monetary circulation in the Republic before the indigenous coinage, to the genesis and development of ancient and modern coins of San Marino, including gold shields, and to the artistic, symbolic and collector of a corpus emissions that have marked, in the last half century, the history of the commercial nation representing, at the same time, a global phenomenon.
On the day of the “numismatic jubilee”, they will also be held hammer minting demonstrations and other initiatives They are aimed at both enthusiasts and newbies, schools and the population in order to rediscover, to those who do not already know it, the importance of money as a historical document and expression of national culture.
Other details of the day of November 12 from the title 1972-2022: fifty years of coins in San Marino they are still in the definition phase and we will give you an account as soon as possible.
However, a number of organizational aspects of the “San Marino Numismatics” trade conference since – after the “pilot” edition of 2021 – this trade event is a candidate to occupy a prominent place in the calendar of sector events.
A numismatic jubilee in public-private synergy
The synergy between public and private institutionsin particular, the San Marino numismatic association, was in fact created to give life to a day of commercial level in a better prestigious location – at the height of the numismatic tradition – and with those safety and reception features (from the large free parking to the restaurant services) which are now essential for any trade fair and cultural event.
After all, highlight the cultural importance of money – from San Marino and beyond – it is essential so that the audience of fans, in the same container, can live an “all-round experience” worthy of this jubilee of San Marino coinage.
Come and book the commercial spaces
Shortly, the organization will announce the complete program of the day of November 12 in San Marino: in the meantime, we remind operators who can book by contacting the organization of the commercial section, the San Marino numismatic association, at the number 335 7349969 or by email at the address [email protected].
All the initiatives of 12 November in San Marino will be ad free entry on the same day, admission to the MFM Museum of stamps and coins in Piazzetta Garibaldi will be free. An opportunity not to be missed, therefore, the San Marino numismatic jubileeboth for enthusiasts and for the simple curious.