San Marino 1 Euro 2010

[Bimat]

This is my first euro coin from a non EU member micro nation Very few coins from the 3 micro nations are non expensive,this is one of them.I got it with the help of a trader friend who has just joined the forum

San Marino 1 Euro (2010),23.25mm,7.5 Grams,Rome Mint.I don't have any mintage details (how many exist in BU sets,in circulation standards,so any info is highly appreciated.)

Question: What do the words ELF INC at 5 o'clock position on obverse mean? I know that the obverse was designed by František Chochola,so they are not the initials of designer

Aditya

[a3v1]

Hi Aditya,
ELF INC are the marks of the engraver Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini. INC is Latin and an abbreviation for engraver.
There are 48,000 BU-sets and 888,072 coins minted for circulation.
Regards,
a3v1

[Figleaf]

Congratulations, Aditya. The top two values are hard to find outside the sets, but it can be done. Same for the Monaco top two values. You will not see any Vatican euros outside of sets, though, until there's a change of policy.

Peter

[Bimat]

Thanks,a3v1 and Peter! I always get answers to my questions!

While this coin is available below €2 in European market,I know that it's much harder to find €2 (regular issue),as they have much lower mintage..

Aditya

[a3v1]

You will not see any Vatican euros outside of sets, though, until there's a change of policy.

The key word here is: Patience. Vatican's policy has been changed by new European regulations. Part of their coins now has to be availed at face. This year an unknown number of 50 Eurocent coins has been issued for circulation, plus 120,000 coincards of same. All outside of the sets!
Maybe one of the next years the bimetallic coins will follow.
Regards,
a3v1

[chrisild]

The key word here is: Patience. Vatican's policy has been changed by new European regulations.

Indeed, the new agreement became effective more than half a year ago. See here: http://www.worldofcoins.eu/forum/index.php/topic,3707.0.html  Interestingly, however, there is no such agreement with San Marino (and Monaco) yet. Maybe later this year.

By the way, accidentally (or maybe not ) "INC" is also Italian, short for "incisore".

Christian

[Bimat]

Got two more coins from San Marino today-an unexpected letter from Italy had these two,I had almost given up the hopes to receive this letter! It took 3 weeks,even though it was registered.

Got these two today:

50 Eurocents (2007)-old Map, Mintage: 320,000
50 Eurocents (2008)-New Map, Mintage: 1,350,000

I'm very happy to see that my euro collection is increasing (somewhat slowly ) 

Aditya

[chrisild]

As a3v1 wrote - "The key word here is: Patience."   Glad you got those coins! I will be in San Marino in November, but primarily for sightseeing, not coingrabbing, hehe. Would not mind getting some "local" pieces though ...

Christian

[Bimat]

Yeah,a3v1 doesn't say 'Over half a century of experience as a coin collector' for nothing I was also lucky to find some nice trader friends who sent me these coins,it wasn't so easy for me too to get them..

Aditya