Description

To mark the event returning to the country for a fourth time in 2026 when Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo hosts the Winter Olympics, the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato decided to release the coins celebrating the "History of the Olympics in Italy."

The Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato has produced three gold coins with a face value of €20 dedicated respectively to the Winter Olympics at Cortina d'Ampezzo in 1956 and Turin 2006, as well as the Summer Games staged in Rome in 1960.

Artist: Valerio De Seta

Obverse

Depicts the official emblem of Rome 1960 Summer Olympics. The country name above.

The emblem is made up of the Olympic rings above a Roman she-wolf, from which Remus and Romulus are suckling. They are the twin brothers who, according to legend, founded the city of Rome. Between them, is the date, 1960, written in Roman numerals.

The 1960 Summer Olympics (Italian: Giochi Olimpici estivi del 1960), officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad (Italian: Giochi della XVII Olimpiade) and commonly known as Rome 1960 (Italian: Roma 1960), were an international multi-sport event held from 25 August to 11 September 1960 in Rome, Italy. The Soviet Union won the most gold and overall medals at the 1960 Games.

• REPUBBLICA •
MCMLX
ITALIANA

Reverse

Depicts the torch of Rome 1960 Summer Olympics standing out against the Colosseum, surrounded by the inscription “ROME 1960 – OLYMPIC HERITAGE”. The value and the issue year above, the mintmark “R”, identifying the Mint of Rome and the designer's name, below.

The Colosseum or Coliseum (also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre), is an oval amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. Built of concrete and sand, it is the largest amphitheatre ever built. The Colosseum is situated just east of the Roman Forum. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in AD 72, and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir Titus. Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (81–96). These three emperors are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named in Latin for its association with their family name (Flavius). The Colosseum could hold, it is estimated, between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, having an average audience of some 65,000; it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles (for only a short time as the hypogeum was soon filled in with mechanisms to support the other activities), animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.

• ROME 1960 •
20
EURO
2023
V. D SETA
R

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.900
Weight 19.353 g
Diameter 21 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute (IPZS)

Related coins

Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956 Winter Olympics

History of the Olympic Games in Italy

Gold, 19.353 g, ⌀ 21 mm
Torino 2006 Winter Olympics

History of the Olympic Games in Italy

Gold, 19.353 g, ⌀ 21 mm