2016 – PALAZZO DUCALE Doge Palace Masterpieces in Stone 3 Oz Silver Coin 10$ Fiji

DESCRIPTION
The 4th issue in the Masterpiece in Stone series is dedicated to Doges’ Palace, Italian Palazzo Ducale, one of Europe’s most beautiful and easily recognizable buildings. This impressive structure, built around a courtyard and richly decorated, was the meeting place of the governing councils and ministries of the republic.  Like its predecessors, the new coin is struck from 3 oz silver 999 and boasts an exquisite high-relief design with an antique finish and a genuine rhodonite inset. The reverse image fascinates with its detail perfectly rendering some of the decorations of the Antechamber to the Hall of Full Council.

The Doge’s Palace (or Palazzo Ducale) in Venice is one of the most prominent and well-recognized landmarks and represents a great example of the Venetian Gothic style. The palace with its rich history served as the residence for the Doge of Venice, the Supreme Court was also set here along with the state authorities. The first building of the palace appeared in the 10th century and since then it has survived several complex reconstructions and two great fires. Since 1923, the Doge’s Palace remains in the status of the museum and it is one of the 11 museums run by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia.

The reverse of the coin depicts the precise and highly detailed image of the Room of the Anticollegio of the Palazzo Ducale, with a wonderful rhodonite stone. On the bottom of the reverse, the inscription: “MASTERPIECES IN STONE” – the name of the series. On the left, the inscription: “PALAZZO DUCALE” – the name of the coin. On the right, the inscription: “SALA DELL’ANTICOLLEGIO” – the name of the room. The obverse of the coin shows the detailed entrance of the Palazzo Ducale with the Coat of Arms of Fiji in the center. All around the obverse, the inscriptions: “FIJI” – the issuing country, “2016” – the year of issue and “10 DOLLARS” – the face value.