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Description
Not since the end of World War I have the borders of Europe been so radically altered, and this time it was done without firing a single shot! It all started in November of 1997, when the Italian Mint released for circulation a beautiful 1000 Lire bi-metallic coin (KM# 190). Unfortunately, the map of Western Europe featured on the reverse of the coin had a number of major geographic flaws: Germany was shown with the old borders of West Germany, as it was before reuniting in 1990 with East Germany. Luxembourg and Belgium were missing, as in fact, they were absorbed by France, and Denmark and the Netherlands were within Germany's borders. The flawed design caused such a controversy in the European Community that Italy, upon an immediate recall of the coins, issued a formal apology to Germany and the rest of the countries affected.
This is the first version of the coin, with errors in the geographical and political boundaries of Europe. All the boundaries of Germany are those previous to the unification; Luxembourg and the Netherlands are missing. Despite these errors, the coin is very common. A corrected version is KM# 194.
Obverse
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In the central disc female head with a towered crown facing left, hair swathed in fabric. Only the crown is outside the disc. In outer ring the legend and twelve stars (dividing the legend: six above the head and six below the neck) representing the State members of the UE. Name of the author below the neck. REPUBBLICA ITALIANA |
|---|---|
Reverse
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A portion of the globe centred on Europe with thick meridian and parallels outlined. In the inner disc, five folded papers are above the map around the border, creating a window in the shape of a five-pointed star above Europe. In the outer ring are the value below, with name of the author right above it, but in the disc. The date is vertical on the left, while the mintmark is at right. R |
| Edge |
Characteristics
| Material | Bi-Metallic |
| Ring | Cupronickel |
| Center | Aluminium Bronze |
| Weight | 8.8 g |
| Diameter | 27 mm |
| Thickness | 2.1 mm |
| Shape |
round
|
| Alignment | Coin |
| Mint |
Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute (IPZS)
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