Obverse. Photo © Roman Halin
  • 5 Lire 1898, KM# 6, San Marino, Saint Marinus
  • 5 Lire 1898, KM# 6, San Marino, Saint Marinus
Description

Saint Marinus left the island of Arba in present-day Croatia with his lifelong friend Leo, and went to the city of Rimini as a stonemason. After the Diocletianic Persecution following his Christian sermons, he escaped to the nearby Monte Titano, where he built a small church and thus founded what is now the city and state of San Marino. Afterwards Marinus was canonised as a saint. The official date of the founding of what is now known as the Republic is 3 September 301.

According to legend, he died in the winter of 366 and his last words were: "Relinquo vos liberos ab utroque homine" ("I leave you free from both men"). This somewhat mysterious phrase is most likely to refer to the two "men" from whose oppressive power Saint Marinus had decided to separate himself, becoming a hermit on Mount Titano: respectively the Emperor and the Pope. This affirmation of freedom (first and foremost fiscal franchise) from both the Empire and the Papal States, however legendary, has always been the inspiration of the tiny republic.

Engraver: Filippo Speranza

Obverse

Crowned drop-shaped arms within the wreath. The inscribed banner and date below.

The elements comprising the coat of arms of San Marino include a shield featuring three mountains with three towers, each adorned with an ostrich feather weather vane. These towers symbolize the citadels of San Marino (La Guaita, La Cesta, and La Montale), while the hills represent the three summits of Monte Titano. The motto "LIBERTAS" in Latin, meaning freedom, is also part of the coat of arms.

RESPVBLICA S. MARINI
LIBERTAS
1898

Reverse

Standing Saint Marinus, holding an inscribed scroll with arms of the Republic of San Marino. Value below.

RELINQVO VOS LIBEROS AB VTROQVE HOMINE
LIBERTAS
SPERANZA
* L. 5 R

Edge

LIBERTAS * LIBERTAS

5 Lire

Saint Marinus

KM# 6
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.900
Weight 25 g
Diameter 37 mm
Thickness 2.55 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Alt # KM# 6
Mint
Mint of Rome (R)

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