Owner Comments:
Italy, Silver - Commemorative - 1985, European Year of Music
Composition: Silver (0.2953oz .835 pure)
Diameter: 29.3mm
Mintage: 96,000
Obverse: The muse of music. An inspired design featuring musical elements such as the staff, a hand harp, and what appears to be the outline of a violin or guitar body. In Greek mythology, Euterpe was first named the muse of music. Later she was referred to as the muse of lyrical poetry. She is credited by some with inventing the double-flute. Designed by M. C. Colaneri.
Reverse: Frontal view of a pipe organ with the date and denomination below it. The inscription “Anno. Europeo. Della. Musica." crowns the entire design. The pipe organ was invented in in Ancient Greece in the 3rd century BC. Before bellows were invented, water pressure was used to create the wind required. Designed by M. C. Colaneri.
Edge: Lettering, “Repubblica Italiana”
This coin was minted as part of the European Year series, an annual celebration where a different subject or event is celebrated for twelve months, including commemorative coinage and stamps.
This was the first coin purchased for my Symphony Set in early 2012, a custom set of coins featuring musical themes, including: instruments, scores, composers, or musicians. And it is still one of my favorite pieces in this collection.