Italy 500 Lire, 1992

500 Lire from Italy. Issued in 1992. Struck in Silver (.835). Measures 29 mm and weighs 11 g.

Obverse

Facing portrait of Columbus, with on his left the sail of a caravel blown up by the wind to form the letter C, initial of the great Genoese navigator. A small rudder is just below the neck, almost like a pendant. Name of the author below the sail (Italian Republic)

Reverse

Representation of the scene of the landing on the New World. Colombo holding a sword in right hand and a flag of the Republic of Genoa in the left lands on a shore; a group of soldiers stands at his left, while a couple of Indians kneel before him, offering fruits and other goods. In the background, 3 men hoist a cross and the three caravels are on the sea, near the shore. Value, date and mintmark in exergue. (Discovery of the Americas)

Edge

"R.I." repeated 3 times between stars and laurel