Obverse: the obverse features the ships of Christopher Columbus, sailing against the wind – the “Nina,” “Pinta,” and “Santa Maria.” Below, the nominal value L 500 is indicated, along with the mintmark and the word PROVA on the left side along the edge. Around the coin, the inscription REPVBBLICA ITALIANA (Italian Republic) is engraved. The obverse was designed by Guido Veroi.
Reverse: the reverse depicts a portrait of a woman dressed in Renaissance-era clothing, representing Italy, surrounded by 19 shields: Geneva, Turin, Aosta, Milan, Trento, Venice, Trieste, Udine, Bologna, Florence, Ancona, Perugia, Rome, Aquileia, Naples, Bari, Potenza, Catanzaro, Sicily, Cagliari. The last two shields are hidden behind the woman. The reverse was created by Pietro Giampaoli, whose name – GIAMPAOLI – is engraved at the bottom.
About the coin: this silver coin portrays Italy’s maritime history and traditions.
