A new coin has been issued today dedicated to the historic "Lettera 22” typewriter

The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance has issued a new silver coin with a face value of € 5 dedicated to the historic "Lettera 22” typewriter, a symbol of Italian style. Olivetti came up with the industrial design in 1950 and went on to win the Compasso d'Oro Award.

The coin belongs to the "Examples of Italian Excellence" series of the 2020 numismatic collection, celebrating one of its icons. It comes in three versions, white, red and green, designed by Annalisa Masini, an artist-engraver at Italy’s Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (State Printing Works, Stationery Office and Mint) and is made in the workshops at the Italian Mint.

In the centre, on the obverse side of the coin, a model of the famous Olivetti “Lettera 22” typewriter, framed by a two-tone ribbon forming the name "LETTERA 22", with the typical original font.

Around the edge, the words "REPUBBLICA ITALIANA” (“ITALIAN REPUBLIC”); at the bottom, the designer's name , "A. MASINI”.

The reverse side of the coin features the outline of the industrial design for the Olivetti "Lettera 22" typewriter, which won the Compasso d'Oro Award, drawn perfectly in pencil.

At the top, the year of issue, "2020"; underneath, the logo of the "OLIVETTI” factory with the O in red; to the left, “R” to identify the Rome Mint; in the right-hand field, "5 / E - U - R - O", engraved inside small discs representing typewriter keys.

All coins are proof FDC, and a complete set with all three coins will also be available.

Information on the purchase and consultation of the 2020 Catalogue is available in the e-commerce section of the IPZS.

The website of the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato at https://www.ipzs.it/ext/numismatica.html lists the other issues foreseen for the year:

• “Italy’s Food and Wine Culture” - Pizza and Mozzarella
• “Great Italian Artists” - Eduardo De Filippo
• 150th Anniversary of the birth of Maria Montessori
• “Roman Emperors” - Marcus Aurelius
• “Sustainable World - Endangered Animals” - Tiger