20 Vatu Vitruvian Man

Features

Issuer VanuatuVanuatu (1980-date)
Period Republic (1980-date)
Type Non-circulating coin
Year 2013
Value 20 Vatu
20 VUV = USD 0.17
Currency Vatu (1982-date)
Composition Gold (.999)
Weight 0.50 g
Diameter 11 mm
Shape Round
Technique Milled
Number
N#
305257
References KM# 78
Tracy L. Schmidt (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins / 2001-Date (14th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States.
And 5 more volumes.

Commemorative issue

Leonardo da Vinci - Vitruvian Man

Obverse

The arms of Vanuatu featuring a Melanesian warrior standing in front of a curved boar's tooth above a scroll reading "LONG GOD YUMI STANAP" and the date above.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
RIPABLIK 2013 BLONG
LONG GOD YUMI STANAP
VANUATU

Translation:
Republic of Vanuatu
In God We Stand
(translated from Bislama)

Reverse

Vitruvian Man with value below.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
VITRUVIAN MAN
10 VATU

Edge

Reeded

Mint

Royal Mint, Llantrisant, United Kingdom (1968-date)

Comments

The Vitruvian Man is a drawing made by the Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci in about 1490. It is accompanied by notes based on the work of the Roman architect Vitruvius. The drawing, which is in ink on paper, depicts a man in two superimposed positions with his arms and legs apart and inscribed in a circle and square.

The drawing represents Leonardo's concept of the ideal human body proportions. Its inscription in a square and a circle comes from a description by the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius in Book III of his treatise De architectura. Yet, as has been demonstrated, Leonardo did not represent Vitruvius's proportions of the limbs but rather included those he found himself after measuring male models in Milan. While the drawing is named after Vitruvius, some scholars today question the appropriateness of such a title, given that it was first used in the 1490s.

First published in reproduction in 1810, the drawing did not attain its present fame until further reproduced in the later 19th century, and it is not clear that it influenced artistic practice in Leonardo's day or later. It is kept in the Gabinetto dei disegni e delle stampe of the Gallerie dell'Accademia, in Venice, Italy, under reference 228. Like most works on paper, it is displayed to the public only occasionally, so it is not part of the normal exhibition of the museum. The work was recently on display at the Louvre's exhibit of Leonardo's work, from 24 October 2019 to 24 February 2020 as part of an agreement between France and Italy.

See also

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Date Mintage VG F VF XF AU UNC
2013  5 000 Proof

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Numista Rarity index: 100 Search tips
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Bullion value: USD 35.81 Search tips
This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of gold at 71 696 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.

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