Italy · 70th anniversary of the Italian Constitution

Issue date2 Jan 2018

Total mintage4,000,000

EU maximum4,000,000

Editions5

Edge lettering2 ★ × 6, alternately upright/inverted

InscriptionCONSTITUZIONE / RI / CON SICURA COSCIENZA / R / 1948 • 2018

DesignerUliana Pernazza

mintInstituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato, Roma

Issue occasion

The coin commemorates the 70th anniversary of the entry into force of the Italian Constitution. The design depicts the provisional Head of State Enrico De Nicola promulgating the Constitution on 27 December 1947, flanked by Head of Government Alcide De Gasperi and the President of the Constituent Assembly, Umberto Terracini. It also features the inscriptions “CONSTITUZIONE” and “CON SICURA COSCIENZA”, the monogram “RI”, and the years “1948 • 2018”.

The design

Enrico De Nicola, as provisional head of state, promulgated the Constitution of the Italian Republic on 27 December 1947. To De Nicola’s right, Prime Minister Alcide De Gasperi can be seen, and to his left, the President of the Constituent Assembly of Italy, Umberto Terracini. The upper part of the coin bears the inscription “CONSTITUZIONE” and the monogram of the Italian Republic, “RI”. The lower part of the national side bears the inscription “CON SICURA COSCIENZA”, the mint mark of the Rome Mint, “R”, and the dates “1948 • 2018”, representing the year the Italian Constitution entered into force and the year of issue of the coin.

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

Background on the topic

The Constitution was drafted after the end of the fascist dictatorship and the Second World War. Before that, the Italian constitutional order was based on the Statuto Albertino of 1848, the constitution of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was later adopted for the Kingdom of Italy. Since this statute could easily be amended through ordinary laws, it had not prevented the seizure of power and rule by fascism.

On 2 June 1946, the Italian people voted in a referendum for the republic and against the monarchy. At the same time, a Constituent Assembly was elected. Women took part in a nationwide political election in Italy for the first time and were eligible to stand for election themselves. After dictatorship, war and German occupation, the Assembly was tasked with creating a new democratic order. Christian Democratic, socialist, communist and liberal forces in particular contributed to its drafting. Despite their political differences, they reached compromises on fundamental rights and state institutions.

The Constitution declares Italy to be a democratic republic founded on work and derives state power from the people. It protects personal and social rights, establishes a parliamentary system of government and provides, among other things, for an independent judiciary, regional self-government and a Constitutional Court. One transitional provision prohibits the re-establishment of the dissolved fascist party.

Enrico De Nicola was a jurist and a politician of the liberal tradition. After the end of the monarchy, he was chosen as a cross-party transitional figure; with the new constitutional order, he became the first President of the Republic. Alcide De Gasperi, a leading Christian Democrat and opponent of fascism, shaped the first post-war governments. Umberto Terracini belonged to the Communist Party and had been imprisoned and banished during fascist rule. The three individuals thus represent different political tendencies that participated in the constituent process.

The phrase “Con sicura coscienza” is attributed to De Nicola in connection with the signing: he had read the text carefully and could sign it with a clear conscience. The anniversary provided an opportunity to recall Italy’s democratic refounding and its legal foundation, which remains in force to this day.