Italy 1997R Giovanni Antonio Canal 5000 Lire Choice Brilliant Uncirculated (MS64)

Italy 1997R Giovanni Antonio Canal 5000 Lire Choice Brilliant Uncirculated (MS64)

This coin was issued to commemorate the 300th Anniversary of the birth of Giovanni Antonio Canal. Known colloquially as Canaletto, Giovanni Antonio Canal (1697–1768), was a renowned Venetian painter famous for his detailed and luminous cityscapes. He specialized in vedute—highly precise views of Venice’s canals, piazzas, and architecture—which captured the city’s grandeur and daily life with remarkable accuracy. Canaletto’s work became especially popular among wealthy European travelers on the Grand Tour, helping spread Venice’s image throughout Europe. His paintings remain celebrated for their clarity, perspective, and atmospheric light.

Obverse: The portrait of Canaletto at left, with his signature below, and a view of Venice in the background, the country and engraver's names are around.
Reverse: A scene taken from Canaletto's painting, The Bacino di San Marco with the Isola di San Giorgio from the Piazzetta, with the anniversary dates in the sky, mint mark to the right, and denomination in centre.

Specifications:
Engraver: Maria Carmela Colaneri
Composition: 0.835 Silver
Weight: 18 g
Diameter: 32 mm
Edge: Smooth with inscription
Die Axis: ↑↓
Mint: Rome, Italy
Mintage: 36,000