Palau – 2013 – 10 dollars – Tiffany Art VENETIAN GOTHIC (including box) (PROOF)

Description

Metal: silver .999
Weight: 2 oz
Size: 50 mm
Mintage: 999 pcs
Quality: Antique finish

The ninth edition of the legendary Tiffany series is dedicated to Venetian Gothic. It shows the Doge’s Palace and the Ca‘ d’Oro overlooking the Grand Canal.

Venetian Gothic is an architectural style which combines gothic iconography with Moorish and Byzantine influences in an elegant manner. Its main works originated from the 14th and early 15th centuries during Venice’s heyday. Therefore, enough funds were available to finance this elaborate style. The silver coin‘s obverse shows the famous Palazzo Ducale, which is now a museum. From the ninth century onwards until the end of the Republic in 1797, it was the Doges domicile. Its present gothic form originates from 1340.

Behind the palace is the Lion of Saint Mark, a symbol of the evangelist and patron saint Mark, and the tower of the church San Giorgio Maggiore, which is located on the identically named island in Venice’s lagoon. The reverse side shows the marvellous Ca‘ d’Oro City Palace which was built in the 15th century. The architects were, among others, Giovanni Buon and his son Barolomeo who were Venice’s top sculptors of that time. The name Ca’ d’Oro (Golden House) comes from the originally gold-plated ornaments on the magnificent façade which overlooks the Grand Canal.