Christopher Columbus may have sailed to the Americas under the Spanish flag, but Italy proudly claims the famed explorer as its own. He was Italian born, after all, and the American Columbus Day holiday every October is often a catalyst for Italian-Americans to celebrate their heritage. The Italian State Mint honors the world renowned explorer and navigator with a Proof 2019 .925 fine silver €10 coin. 

The coin is part of the Italian Explorers series. It is described as the first Proof silver coin with partial gold plating ever issued by the Italian Republic. The coin’s obverse features a portrait of Columbus, from a painting attributed to Ridolfi del Ghirlandaio, held at the Galata Sea Museum in Genoa.