Sergio Giandomenico, Coin Designer

[<k>]

Sergio Giandomenico was born in Rome in 1924.

In 1947 he was employed as an engraver by the Rome Mint.

He subsequently graduated from the School of Medallic Art, Rome.

Mr Giandomenico died in October 2013.

One of his medals can be seen here.

[<k>]

Sergio designed the obverse and reverse of this Italian 200 lire coin of 1980.

It was a FAO issue that commemorated International Women's Year.

[<k>]

He also designed the obverse of the San Marino 1000 lire collector coin of 1988.

[<k>]

Tonga, 1 pa'anga, 1980.  Rural Women's Advancement.  A FAO issue.

This coin was minted by the Royal Australian Mint. However, the Rome Mint has provided many designs for the coin program of the Food and Agricultural Organisation. Perhaps this Roman connection was the reason why Sergio Giandomenico ended up designing the reverse of this Tongan FAO issue.

[<k>]

Tonga released a new design series for its circulation coins in 1981.

It was specifically a FAO issue and included the legend "World Food Day".

The new designs were the work of Sergio Giandomenico.




The obverse of the 1 seniti carried the same maize design as in 1975, but the reverse showed a vanilla plant.




The reverse of the 2 seniti carried the Planned Families logo, as in 1975, but the obverse depicted taro leaves.




The obverse of the 5 seniti carried the same hen and chicks design as in 1975, but the reverse featured coconuts.




A banana tree appeared on the reverse of the 10 seniti coin.




Yams appear on the reverse of the 20 seniti coin.




Tomatoes grace the reverse of the 50 seniti coin.




The 1 pa'anga coin featured an outrigger.




The 2 pa'anga coin depicted a pig and two piglets, a cow and her calf, and hens and their chicks.

[Figleaf]

Kudos for great research.

Peter

[<k>]

The kudos belongs to our member Gerhard Schön, because these designer attributions are taken from his latest 20th century catalogue of world coins. At long last we know who designed the 1981 Tonga set. The designer of the 1975 Tonga set remains a mystery.

[<k>]

Sergio Giandomenico also designed the Vatican 1992 coin series.

He designed the portrait of Pope John Paul II and all the reverses, except the coat of arms on the 1000 lire.

[eurocoin]

Recently Mr Schön was able to find out that this 2 Pa'anga coin of Tonga was modelled by Sergio Giandomenico. Furthermore he found out that the design was made by the American artist Larry Foster. Our forum member <k> was able to find Mr Foster's son. After Mr Foster had initially denied that he had ever designed any coins, his son gave me his email address. A few days ago I showed Mr Foster an image of the coin. Mr Foster than confirmed that the coin was designed by him. The design was derived from one of his drawings, which was based on a photograph that was taken by Ken Balcomb. In the late 70's he had made line drawings of all species of cetacea for the FAO, the drawings were displayed at the United Nations. He was never informed that the design was used on a coin. To the right you can see one of many drawings that he made based on the particular photo.

 

[Figleaf]

No matter who did it, this is excellent research that was in need of being done. Glad to see the results here.

Peter

[<k>]

Maldives, 10 rufiyaa, 1979.   Weaver.

[<k>]

Maldives, 100 rufiyaa, 1979.  A woman thatching.

[Figleaf]

Mr. Stannard writes ...

As these coins bear the 1979 year date (sic!) we should like to have them struck and marketed as soon as possible.

... in 1981.

Revealing detail: the FAO and the Maldives together get only 15% of the sales price. The rest is divided between minting cost and UK mint profit, with the UK mint setting the sales price. The FAO should at least have been involved in fixing the price.

Peter

[<k>]

Haiti, 50 gourdes, 1981.

[eurocoin]

Recently Mr Schön was able to find out that this 2 Pa'anga coin of Tonga was modelled by Sergio Giandomenico. Furthermore he found out that the design was made by the American artist Larry Foster. Our forum member <k> was able to find Mr Foster's son. After Mr Foster had initially denied that he had ever designed any coins, his son gave me his email address. A few days ago I showed Mr Foster an image of the coin. Mr Foster than confirmed that the coin was designed by him. The design was derived from one of his drawings, which was based on a photograph that was taken by Ken Balcomb. In the late 70's he had made line drawings of all species of cetacea for the FAO, the drawings were displayed at the United Nations. He was never informed that the design was used on a coin. To the right you can see one of many drawings that he made based on the particular photo.

Something doesn't add up here. I came across a medal that depicts the same whale design. The medal was apparently made by a company that closed in 1962.