Italian Anniversaries

The Italian Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS) has produced a silver coin to mark two national anniversaries: the first election in which Italian women were allowed to vote and a referendum to establish the Italian Republic.

The silver brilliant-uncirculated coin was designed by Silvia Ciucci. The obverse features a woman with her arm outstretched, representing the Italian Republic. Above her left hand is a star with rays of light emanating from it. Encircling the design is the text 80° ANNIVERSARIO and REPUBBLICA ITALIANA, with the designer’s name at the bottom right. The reverse depicts three women from three generations with the star of the Italian Republic at right. The inscriptions FORZA DI DONNA (“strength of women”), DIRITTO DI VOTO (“right to vote”), and LUCE DI GIUSTIZIA (“light of justice”) appear along the rim. The years 1946 and 2026 are below with a scale in the center. The denomination (€6) is at the bottom left, and the Mint of Rome mintmark is at right.

Mintage is limited to 5,000. For more information and to purchase, visit the IPZS’s website.

Women’s Suffrage & the Italian Republic

Women in Italy were first granted the right to vote in 1945, though their first opportunity to vote didn’t come until administrative elections were held on March 10, 1946. On June 2, the country held a national referendum to determine whether Italy should remain a monarchy under Umberto II or become a republic. The majority of voters—12,182,855—were in favor of establishing an Italian Republic. Italians then voted to elect a Constituent Assembly to draft a new constitution. The turnout for the referendum was over 89 percent. Enrico de Nicola was elected Italy’s head of state on June 28. 

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