Even Puglia has its own collectible coin to tell the culture, identity and tradition of the Region with numerous typical elements, including the bread of Altamura, the olive trees, the trulli of Alberobello and a dry stone wall, the dolphins of Taranto and the combination that has conquered the Apulians and no: orecchiette and Primitivo di Manduria wine (all Salento). Made by the artist Martha Bonifacio, the coin was minted from State Polygraph which since 2019 has embarked on a path to pay homage to the Italian food and wine culture.
The trulli of Alberobello, the ceramics of Grottaglie, bread, olive tree, orecchiette and Primitivo on the collector's coin
On the obverse of the currency there are the Trulli of Alberobello and a characteristic Apulian dry stone wall, both recognized as World Heritage Sites by Unesco. They are delimited by a olive Tree, symbol of the Region and from Pumo of Grottaglie, among the most representative products of local craftsmanship. The coin is also decorated with waves stylized with a dolphin, a recurring symbology on the Taranto staters, an ancient Apulian coin.
On the reverse of the coin, the composition of typical Apulian food and wine products: Altamura bread, orecchiette, olive branch it's a glass of Primitivo wine. Around and in the field, decorative elements inspired by fretwork motifs, in the Apulian Romanesque style, taken from the chair of Sant'Elia of the Basilica of San Nicola di Bari.
The coin from nominal value of 5 euros was produced in 15 thousand units and is on sale in shops and on the website of the State Printing Office. It is enjoying considerable success as reported by the director of the State Printing Office Antonio Cascelli, 9 thousand pieces were sold in a few hours and it is estimated that they will be sold out within the week.
Puglia on the table: orecchiette and Primitivo
Only with the orecchiette you can feel the unique taste of Puglia, if we then combine it with a glass of full-bodied, round and warm Primitivo di Manduria, the sensation becomes even more real. Orecchiette are the format of homemade Apulian pasta, an art guarded by grandmothers and handed down from generation to generation. It is the Sunday dish, one of the "flavors of home" imprinted in history, culture but above all in the palates of the Apulians. As well as the Primitive, the Salento wine appreciated and known all over the world. A soft, pleasant wine, without edges, with a more than modest alcohol content, by virtue of the light withering to which the grapes are subjected.
Numismatic collection 2022 of the State Printing Office
This initiative is part of the Numismatic collection 2022 and includes 17 different themes, all linked to our country such as monuments, historical figures, institutions or events (in this case not necessarily Italian). Last year in the agri-food collection it was the turn of Sicily and Emilia Romagna with Passito and cannoli for the first region, Lambrusco and tortellini for the second. The coins cost 25 euros and can be purchased on the official website or in the Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato "Spazio Verdi" sales point in Piazza Verdi, 1 in Rome.
The next collector's coin will instead be dedicated to Lombardia and will feature the Franciacorta and Panettone.
