Picchiani & Barlacchi will coin the official medal for the 15th International Numismatic Congress to be held in Taormina, from 20th to 25th September 2015.
The idea, following a request by the Organising Committee and in collaboration with the Associazione Italiana Arte della Medaglia (Italian Association of Medal Art), came from Gionata Salzano, who was trained at the School of Medal Art of the National Printing Institute and Mint.
The International Numismatic Congress is the most important event in the worldwide Numismatics sector, promoted by the International Numismatic Commission founded in 1934. In the past, renowned cities such as Paris, Madrid, New York, Washington and London have played host to this important event. This year, the University of Messina successfully convinced the commission with a project presented by a research group consisting in: Prof. Maria Caccamo Caltabiano, tenured professor of Ancient Numismatics in collaboration with Prof. Eligio Daniele Castrizio, associate professor of medieval Numismatics, Prof. Benedetto Carroccio, the University of Calabria and doctors Mariangela Puglisi, Grazia Salamone, Angela D’Arrigo, Daniela Trifirò, Alessandra Bottari and Rosalba Scavino.
“The organisation of an International Numismatic Congress in Sicily,” explained Prof. Maria Caccamo Caltabiano, “in addition to being an important milestone for Sicilian universities on both a scientific and cultural level, also ensures prestigious and beneficial international exposure from the point of view of tourism, helping to direct attention towards our numismatic cultural heritage, an historically rich sector among the most important in the ancient world, but unfortunately until now somewhat neglected and almost completely unknown to the greater public.”
Five hundred Numismatics students, medal scholars, antiquarian companies and auction houses from all over the world will come together in the spectacular city of Taormina, a city renowned throughout the world for its history, culture and unique landscapes. The Congress will be held in the city’s very own Greek-Roman theatre.
Sources:
A press release of the University of Messina.
Article by Roberto Ganganelli in Il Giornale della Numismatica.