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Set of Euro coins for 2005 |
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Again this year the eight metal coins of San Marino will be collected in a special set including a 5 Euro silver coin depicting Antonio Onofri. Though not well known at the European level, he was an important personality for San Marino. Born in 1759, he was one of the central figures in early 19th century San Marino politics. In 1789 he became the Secretary General of San Marino (the highest political office at the time). He dominated the political scene in San Marino in the years in which the French revolution exploded and the ambitions of Napoleon lost strength, following by the Restoration. He gained the affection and support of Napoleon in person. He was a refined, sagacious diplomat and his initiatives were all targeted at safeguarding and guaranteeing the independence and freedom of the Republic in those heated, tumultuous years. The line of conduct of Onofri was to succeed in maintaining its autonomy intact from the political and economic point of view, and to avoid paying a heavy toll. Onofri dies on February 25, 1825 and this silver coin commemorates the 180th Anniversary of his death: the back of the coin bears a bust of Onofri while the face shows the three Towers of San Marino: Cesta, Guaita and Montale. |
