The institutional gift to the First Lady Michelle Obama, scheduled to visit the Expo on 18th June, is ready. It is the same as that presented to the Pope and to other renowned personalities.
This is the special, official Guinness World Record “large-sized” coin, featuring a diameter of 150 mm and weight of 936 grams.
The element making it unique and special, so much so that it constitutes a worldwide novelty, is the fact that it is “all pink” thanks to the use of a rose-coloured alloy and rim in the same colour.
A label with an inscription “Expo 2015 to Michelle Obama, 18th June 2015” has been inserted below, in the plexiglass frame.
The coin was produced by the historical Florentine company Picchiani & Barlacchi, run by sisters Chiara and Giovanna Montauti, who declared: “For us, and for the entire artistic and creative world of the city of Florence, this is a source of great pride. It is moving to think that this coin will probably be stored at the White House in Washington. A heartfelt gift to a lady, a great lady, an American icon.”
The coin was inspired by the “We Women for Expo” programme and is currently in the hands of the president, Diana Bracco, who will meet Mrs. Obama during a much-anticipated visit to the Italian Hall, after visiting the American one.
The side designed by Laura Cretara, also the designer of the Italian Euro and the world’s first female engraver, displays the official Expo logo and the Tree of Life formed by five leaves from just as many plants, representative of each continent. Among these, maple to symbolise America.