The famous poet Durante di Alighiero degli Alighieri, known as Dante, was born in Florence between May 22 and June 13, 1265. 

He is the subject of San Marino’s first commemorative €2 coin for 2015, scheduled for release April 8.

The obverse of the coin designed by Annalisa Masini shows a portrait of Dante, taken from a fresco by Botticelli. The lettering style used in identifying the nation and the coin's subject was inspired by lettering in the first copies of the Divina Commedia (Dante's Divine Comedy).

The ringed-bimetallic coin has a copper-nickel core and copper-aluminum-nickel ring.

The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag. The common reverse shows a map of the European Union.

The coin weighs 8.5 grams and measures 25.75 millimeters in diameter.

A mintage of 100,000 Uncirculated pieces will be available in special holders, on sale for €15. 

For more information about the coin, or to order, visit the website of San Marino’s Azienda Autonoma di Stato Filatelica e Numismatica.

Want to know about more 2015 San Marino coins? Click here!

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