Europa Programme 2012 with the theme 'European Artists' - Antonio Sciortino (1879-1947)
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2012
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Europa Programme 2012 with the theme ‘European Artists’
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Antonio Sciortino (1879-1947)
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In 2012 the Central Bank of Malta issued a silver and a gold numismatic coin as part of the Europa Programme 2012 ‘European Artists’ commemorating the renowned Maltese sculptor Antonio Sciortino (1879–1947).
Antonio Sciortino studied at the Regio Istituto di Belle Arti in Rome and spent much of his life in that city, eventually becoming Director of the British Academy of Arts. He was initially influenced by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, and much of his best work reveals this influence.
Sciortino’s favourite medium was bronze, which he used with great sensitivity. The coin depicts ‘Les Gavroches’ (street urchins), Sciortino’s 1904 masterpiece inspired by Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel ‘Les Misérables’, a book that was still banned by the Catholic Church at the time Sciortino completed this bronze statue.
A bozzetto of the statue was presented to Princess Elizabeth in 1951 and still forms part of today’s Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace. The bronze statue was placed at the Upper Barracca Gardens in Valletta. Following restoration in 2003, it was moved to the National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta and a replica was placed in its stead.
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Type
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Denomination
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Diameter (mm)
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Gross Weight (g)
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Finesse
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Designer
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Mint
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Mintage
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Silver Proof
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€10
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38.61
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28.28
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0.925
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Noel Galea Bason
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Royal Dutch Mint
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10,000
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Gold Proof
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€50
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21
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6.5
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0.916
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Noel Galea Bason
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Royal Dutch Mint
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2,000
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