On which Italian euro coin is the Colosseum depicted?

The Colosseum is depicted on Italy’s 5 cent euro coin. Its national side shows the ancient Roman amphitheatre, while the common side shared by euro-area countries carries the denomination and a map design. The Italian image is one of eight different national designs, one for each circulating denomination.

Italy’s other regular euro coins feature landmarks, artworks and famous figures. Castel del Monte appears on the 1 cent coin, Turin’s Mole Antonelliana on the 2 cent coin, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus on the 10 cent coin and Marcus Aurelius’s equestrian statue on the 50 cent coin. This makes the Colosseum easy to confuse with the larger 50 cent denomination.

Italian euro cash entered circulation on 1 January 2002, replacing the lira. The national designs include the initials “RI” for Repubblica Italiana, the mint mark “R” for Rome, twelve European stars and the year of issue. The Colosseum design therefore links a modern currency system with one of Rome’s most recognizable ancient monuments.