2008 San Marino €10 Silver Proof "Palladio"

• Mint: Italian Mint
• Denomination: €10
• Quality: Proof
• Issue limit: 21,000 pcs.
• Alloy: 92.5% Sterling Silver
• Artist: Luciana De Simonii
• Diameter: 34.00 mm
• Weight: 22 grams
• Box/Capsule: Yes/Yes
• Certificate: Yes

Issued on June 19, this issue commemorates the 500th anniversary of the birth of architect Andrea Palladio.

Andrea Palladio (pseudonym of Andrea di Pietro della Gondola, born in Padua in November 1508 â“ died in Maser in August 1580) was a genial Italian architect and stage designer. He gave his name to the Palladian style, which is based on the classic-Roman principles of architecture, in contrast to the lavish Renaissance styles. His architecture was the protagonist of a true architectural revolution which changed the face of Europe, and which then crossed the ocean to characterize American architecture. The Ministry for the Arts and Cultural Activities has set up a national Committee for the celebrations of the Fifth Centenary of Andrea Palladio's birth (1508-2008), which is promoting and carrying out initiatives on a local, national and international scale. Even the Republic of San Marino will commemorate this solemn event with the emission of a 10 euro silver coin in proof: on the obverse side is depicted a detail of the entrance to Villa Poiana, intersected with the three stylized feathers which represent the three Towers, whilst on the reverse is shown an external view of Villa Poiana, a sober, moderate and totally harmonious architecture. This villa is located in Pojana Maggiore (in the province of Vicenza) and was built by Palladio in 1546 for the Pojana family: a focal point of the prospect is the original Serlian (an architectural element made up of a round arch symmetrically flanked by two openings surmounted by an architrave) with a double arched lintel and five oeils-de-boeuf, derived from Roman models.