November 14, 2013 – Within the successful series Italy of the Arts a 5 euro silver proof coin will feature this year Selinunte, an archaeological site on the south coast of Sicily. One of the most important among the Greek colonies in Sicily, it was finally destroyed by the Carthaginians during the First Punic War in 250 before Christ.
Italy / 5 Euro / .925 silver / 18g / 32mm / Design: Annalisa Masini / Mintage: 7,000.
Of the several collapsed temples, only the Temple of Hera was reconstructed in the 20th century, and it is represented on the obverse of the coin, while on the reverse is depicted a sculpture decoration with the myth of Perseus and the Medusa.
The 10 euro proof coin Italy of Arts is dedicated to a completely different masterpiece of the Italian artistic heritage. From the sunny Sicilian seaside we utterly change the scenery going to the most northern region in Italy, the Aosta Valley, celebrated for its magnificent mountains and for its beautiful castles.
Italy / 10 Euro / .925 silver / 22g / 43mm / Design: Maria Carmela Colaneri / Mintage: 7,000.
And the Fénis Castle is represented on the obverse of the coin while on the reverse is portrayed St. George and the Dragon, a decoration taken from the castle.
If you want to learn more about these coins please visit the website of the Italian Mint.
This video gives a splendid view on Fénis Castle.
And here you can watch a film with magnificent images of the Greek temples of Selinunte.