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 Matej
Gábris
is an outstanding Slovakian graphic artist
and banknote
designer who has given us some beautiful fantasy banknotes with a wide range of
both historical and contemporary themes.
This series is for the country of
San Marino,
also known as
Serenissima Repubblica
di San Marino
or Most Serene Republic of San Marino.
San Marino is one of the smallest countries in
the world at 61 km2 (24 sq mi) and has an estimated population of
about 32,000. Only the Vatican (0.44 km2)
and Monaco (2 km2
) are smaller. San Marino claims to be the oldest surviving sovereign state and
constitutional republic in the world, as the continuation of the monastic
community founded on 3 September 301, by
stonecutter
Marinus of Arba.
This beautiful classically designed banknote features "Libertas" on the front
with two examples of the country coat of arms, one in a gold foil. Libertas
means Freedom in Latin and often refers to San Marino being a haven for escaped
victims of oppression.
The note back features a mountain landscape with
Saint Martin tower in the foreground
and an image of
stonecutter
Marinus of Arba
at right in background with geometric patters at left.
The total printing was 620
pieces. This banknote contains the ypsilon type watermark and fluorescing
fibers
with the text "gabrisbanknote
- specimen" appearing under fluorescing UV light. It also has a gold
metallic
colour element and was printed by offset with three extra spot colors.
GSE 21.8.2016 |
