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CC 267 2017
Coincard
BU
Coincard
Germany · Rhineland-Palatinate, Porta Nigra in Trier
Mintage3,300
Issue price€4.90
Issue date3 Feb 2017
PackagingCoincard
Edge letteringEINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT + Federal Eagle
Market price€9.00
Mintage information from source: 2000 | 1000 | 300
Varieties
3Germany, A · A · Mint mark A · Coincard · Mintage 2,000
Germany, D · D · Mint mark D · Coincard · Mintage 1,000
Germany, F · F · Mint mark F · Coincard · Mintage 300
Issue occasion
The coin honours Rheinland-Pfalz as part of the Federal States series. The design features the Porta Nigra in Trier, probably the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps, as well as the inscription “RHEINLAND-PFALZ”.
The design
The coin design depicts the Porta Nigra in Trier, probably the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps.
The name of the federal state, “RHEINLAND-PFALZ”, and “D” for the issuing country can also be seen at the bottom of the coin’s inner disc. The mark of the respective mint (“A”, “D”, “F”, “G” or “J”) is visible on the left, and the year of issue “2017” above the image. The artist’s initials “CH” (Frantisek Chochola) appear on the right.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer coin ring.
The name of the federal state, “RHEINLAND-PFALZ”, and “D” for the issuing country can also be seen at the bottom of the coin’s inner disc. The mark of the respective mint (“A”, “D”, “F”, “G” or “J”) is visible on the left, and the year of issue “2017” above the image. The artist’s initials “CH” (Frantisek Chochola) appear on the right.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer coin ring.
Background on the topic
Trier was founded in Roman times as Augusta Treverorum in the territory of the Celtic tribe of the Treverer. The city developed into an administrative and commercial centre. In Late Antiquity, it was at times the residence of Roman emperors and a political centre of the western part of the empire. From this period, in addition to the city gate, come the Kaiserthermen, the Barbarathermen, the Amphitheatre and the Konstantinbasilika.
The gate was built towards the end of the 2nd century from large sandstone blocks. The stones were placed on top of one another without mortar and were originally connected by iron clamps. Two passageways, multi-storey towers and an inner courtyard served to control traffic. The construction probably remained partly unfinished. Its present designation is of medieval origin and refers to the dark colouring of the sandstone; its Roman name has not been handed down.
The fact that the structure was preserved is connected with its conversion to other uses. In the 11th century, the hermit Simeon, who came from the eastern Mediterranean region, settled in it. After his death, the gate was converted into a double church dedicated to Saint Simeon. Among other features, apses, stairways and further ecclesiastical installations were added. On Napoleon’s orders, most of these additions were removed at the beginning of the 19th century in order to restore the Roman appearance. Traces of its medieval use are nevertheless recognisable.
Since 1986, the gate, together with further Roman monuments of Trier, the Dom and the Liebfrauenkirche, has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It thus refers both to the Roman past of present-day Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz) and to the later treatment of ancient building fabric.
Since 2006, the German Federal States series has presented one state each year by means of a selected building. The order was generally based on the regular rotation of the presidency of the Bundesrat. For Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz), a Roman structure in Trier was a suitable motif because it brings together the state’s long history of settlement and administration in a directly recognisable architectural monument.
The gate was built towards the end of the 2nd century from large sandstone blocks. The stones were placed on top of one another without mortar and were originally connected by iron clamps. Two passageways, multi-storey towers and an inner courtyard served to control traffic. The construction probably remained partly unfinished. Its present designation is of medieval origin and refers to the dark colouring of the sandstone; its Roman name has not been handed down.
The fact that the structure was preserved is connected with its conversion to other uses. In the 11th century, the hermit Simeon, who came from the eastern Mediterranean region, settled in it. After his death, the gate was converted into a double church dedicated to Saint Simeon. Among other features, apses, stairways and further ecclesiastical installations were added. On Napoleon’s orders, most of these additions were removed at the beginning of the 19th century in order to restore the Roman appearance. Traces of its medieval use are nevertheless recognisable.
Since 1986, the gate, together with further Roman monuments of Trier, the Dom and the Liebfrauenkirche, has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It thus refers both to the Roman past of present-day Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz) and to the later treatment of ancient building fabric.
Since 2006, the German Federal States series has presented one state each year by means of a selected building. The order was generally based on the regular rotation of the presidency of the Bundesrat. For Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz), a Roman structure in Trier was a suitable motif because it brings together the state’s long history of settlement and administration in a directly recognisable architectural monument.