Obverse

Female head facing left. The woman symbolizes the Italian Republic with feathered wings coming from temples (symbols of intelligence and freedom). Engraver's name below the neck-cut.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
REPVBBLICA ITALIANA
CRETARA

Translation: Italian Republic.

Engraver: Laura Cretara

Reverse

In the center a view of the Piazza del Quirinale, Rome., with small date in lower position. Value ("L.500") in Braille at top of the outer ring, as text at the bottom; plants on either sides.

Scripts: Braille, Latin

Lettering:
⠨⠇⠄⠼⠑⠚⠚⠄
R 1987
L.500

Engraver: Laura Cretara

Edge

Alternating smooth and reeded segments.

ZacUK

Mint

RRome, Italy (476-date)

Comments

There are three main groups of the Obv.
Medium head: 1982-1987, 1994-1997, 2000, 2001.
Large head: 1988-1991.
Small head: 1991-1992, 1998.
Portrait varieties exist with the size of the head and details of hair and signature vary.

1982
Only medium head.

1987
Only medium head.
Obverse
Die 1 1982 - large signature, lower plies of hair narrow.
Die 2 - small signature, well engraved front part of neck with sharp bottom corner, lower plies of hair wide.
Picture: Images courtesy of Alexandr Prokofyev.