Description
Aquileia is an ancient Roman city, one of the main archeological sites of Northern Italy. This small city was founded as a colony by the Romans in 180/181 BC along the Natissa River, on land south of the Julian Alps. The city was large and prominent in Antiquity. Thanks to the great location, Aquileia was the first station of the Amber route. Amber was precious and wanted product, people believed in its magic power. Rings featuring humans and animals, mythological elements (e.g. Amor and Psyche, Satyr) are proof of the high artistic skills of Aquileian craftsmen. A number of various amulets were produced, including even special pieces, such as amber leaves with good wishes inscribed and presented on the occasion of the turn of the year. A luxurious tool were amber distaffs using the electrostatic properties of amber. At the end of the 4th century, Ausonius, enumerated Aquileia as the ninth among the great cities of the world, together with Rome, Mediolanum and Capua. The most important monuments are: the Cathedral of Aquileia, the National Archaeological Museum (one of the most important museums of Ancient Rome in the world) and the Paleo-Christian Museum. The site of Aquileia, believed to be the largest Roman city yet to be excavated, is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Obverse
In the centre, a stylized image of a cart, in which ambers were carried by the Romans from Baltic Sea to Italy. Behind the cart, on the left, a stylized image of a head of the Roman. On the background, an image of a map with Baltic Sea outline. At the top, along the edge, a semicircular inscription: AMBER ROUTE. At the bottom, a semicircular inscription: NIUE ISLAND above it, a nominal value: 1 dollar. An image of the Queen Elizabeth II with the Mint’s mark (MW), on the left of the cart. On the right of the Queen’s head, an inscription: ELIZABETH II under it, a year of issue: 2011.
Reverse
At the top, a semi-circular inscription - AQUILEIA. Underneath, to the left - columns from Foro Romano di Aquileia and the image of the mythical she-wolf suckling Remus and Romulus (the symbol of the Roman Empire), standing in front of the basilica of Aquileia. To the right - a Roman ancient mosaic presenting a female head. Underneath an image of a Roman coin found in the vicinity of Aquileia. At the bottom, an amber insert.
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