Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 50 Euro Cent 2008-2016, KM# 484, San Marino
  • 50 Euro Cent 2008-2016, KM# 484, San Marino
Description

On 7 June 2005, the European Council decided that the common side of the €0.10 to €2 coins should be brought up to date to reflect the enlargement of the EU in 2004. The €0.01, €0.02 and €0.05 coins show Europe in relation to the rest of the world, therefore they remained unchanged. In 2007, the new design was introduced. The design still retains all elements of the original designs but the map of the fifteen states is replaced by one showing the whole of Europe as a continent, without borders, to stress unity.

Obverse

Depicts the Three Towers of San Marino: Guaita, Cesta and Montale, surrounded by the twelve stars of Europe. In a semicircle over the towers the date, country name and the initials of the designer (stylised Ch), the mint mark (R) below the country name. The initials of the engraver between stars below.

The Three Towers of San Marino are a group of towers located in San Marino. Located on the three peaks of Monte Titano in the capital, also called San Marino, they are depicted on both the national flag and coat of arms.

The Guaita is the oldest of the three towers, and the most famous. It was constructed in the 11th century and served briefly as a prison. It was rebuilt numerous times and reached its current form in the 15th century during the war fought between San Marino and the House of Malatesta.

The Cesta is located on the highest of Monte Titano's summits. A museum to honor Saint Marinus, created in 1956, is located in this tower and showcases over 1,550 weapons dating from the Medieval Era to the modern day. It was constructed in the 13th century on the remains of an older Roman fort.

The Montale is located on the smallest of Monte Titano's summits. Unlike the other towers, this one is not open to the public. It was constructed in the 14th century. It is thought to have been constructed to give protection against the increasing power of the Malatesta family in that region. It was also used as a prison, and accordingly, the only entrance to the tower is a door about seven metres from ground level, which was common for prison architecture of the time.

Designer: Frantisek Chochola
Engraver: Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini

2008 SAN MARINO
R
Ch
ELF INC.

Reverse

A geographical map of Western Europe spans the outer ring and inner core on the left side of the coin.

12 stars are located on the left side of the outer ring, with six stars atop the map of Europe and six stars below it; six vertical stripes cut across the inner core of the coin, visually connecting the upper and lower star segments.

Luc Luycx, a designer at the Royal Belgian Mint, designed the Euro’s common reverse; his initials, LL, are seen on the right side of the design, just under the “0” in “50.”

50
LL
EURO
CENT

Edge

50 Euro Cent

2nd map
KM# 484 Schön# 484
Characteristics
Material Nordic Gold
Weight 7.8 g
Diameter 24.25 mm
Thickness 2.38 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute (IPZS)

Related coins

1st map

Nordic Gold, 7.8 g, ⌀ 24.25 mm

Nordic Gold, 7.8 g, ⌀ 24.25 mm