Italy · World Expo Milan 2015

Issue date30 Apr 2015

Total mintage3,554,820

EU maximum3,500,000

Editions6

Edge lettering2 ★ × 6, alternately upright/inverted

InscriptionNUTRIRE IL PIANETA / MGU / RI / R / EXPO MILANO 2015

DesignerMaria Grazia Urbani

mintInstituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato, Roma

Issue occasion

The commemorative coin is dedicated to EXPO Milano 2015. The design symbolises the fertility of the earth: on a semicircle representing the Earth, a watered seed stands before germination; a vine, an olive branch and an ear of grain grow from a tree trunk. The design is complemented by the EXPO MILANO 2015 logo and the semicircular inscription “NUTRIRE IL PIANETA”.

The design

The coin design consists of several combined elements and symbolises the fertility of the earth: On a semicircle representing the earth, a watered seed lies before germination; above the earth, a vine, an olive branch and an ear of grain grow from a tree trunk; surrounding them in a semicircle is the inscription “NUTRIRE IL PIANETA”; on the left are the initials of the artist Maria Grazia Urbani, “MGU”; on the right are the monogram of the Italian Republic, “RI”, and the mintmark of the Rome mint, “R”; in the centre is the logo of EXPO MILANO 2015.

The outer ring of the coin depicts the twelve stars of the European flag.

Background on the topic

Expo 2015 took place from 1 May to 31 October 2015 at an exhibition site northwest of Milan. It was one of the World Expositions recognized by the Bureau International des Expositions. Italy was awarded the event in 2008; Milan prevailed over the Turkish city of Izmir. Since the 19th century, World Expositions have served to present technological, social and cultural developments to an international audience. Unlike specialized exhibitions, they address a broad guiding theme.

In Milan, the central question was how a growing world population can be fed sufficiently, safely and sustainably. This included issues such as hunger and malnutrition, food safety, agricultural production methods, water and energy consumption, biological diversity, and food waste. The participating states presented their own approaches and food traditions in their pavilions. The national contributions were complemented by thematic areas in which countries with similar agricultural products or climatic conditions were grouped together.

The occasion had a direct connection to Italy. Agriculture, food processing and regional food cultures play an established economic and social role there. At the same time, as host city, Milan was responsible for planning, constructing and operating the exhibition site. The Expo was therefore not only an international event, but also a state representation project of Italy.

The “Milan Charter” was created in connection with the exhibition. It formulated commitments and objectives for action concerning the right to food, sustainable agriculture and the responsible use of natural resources. In this way, the exhibition was intended to initiate a political debate on food systems extending beyond the presentation of individual countries.

The choice of the event as a coin theme can be explained by Italy’s role as host and the international reach of the event. A circulating coin made the Expo visible throughout the euro area during its year of operation and linked the national issue occasion with a cross-border theme.