50 Lekë "Apolonia", year 2019, without legal tender
Nominal value | 50 Lekë |
Material | CuAl5Zn5Sn1 |
Weight | 12 g |
Diameter | 28 mm |
Mintage | 1000 |
Edge | Reeded |
Author | Petraq Papa |
Minted | Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) |
Obverse: Three nymphs dancing around the fire of Nympheo, inspired by the ancient coin, the Apoloniat Denarii (44 - 27 B.C.). The nymphs are depicted stylized in the center of the composition. The place of the fire of Nympheo is replaced in this coin by a horizontal line, which divides it into two almost equal parts. The lower half of the coin features the nominal value “50 LEKË”. The aesthetic writing style of the nominal value creates a balanced graphical ratio (boldness and rhythm of the typeface). In the upper half of the coin, dots decorate both sides of the nymphs and complement the design composition. This motif is used also in the ancient coins. The colour of the alloy renders the coin both modern and historical.
Reverse: The grandiose façade of Odeon (Buleuterions), the main monument of Apollonia, is depicted at the center of the reverse side of the coin. Above it, the word “APOLONIA” is written in capital letters with a modern and classic typography. The year of issue “2019” is inscribed at the bottom of the Odeon stairs, and under that the words “SHQIPËRI – ALBANIA” are written in an arched shape. For a more aesthetic presentation and an overall harmonic compositional closure, on both sides of the Odeon three arched lines, at equal distance from each other, reminisce the stairs of an amphitheater and, at the same time, they complete the composition of blank spaces.