Accession No. RARE.2025.0177: Purchased, 2018 September
[identification of item], Fratelli Tensi Lithographic Souvenir Coin Depicting Architectural Sites in Rome, SPEC.RARE.MMS.0422, Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, Ohio State University
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Processed by: Sierra McGee, 2025 November; Finding aid written by: Sierra McGee, 2025 November
Fratelli Tensi was an Italian publishing company founded by Alberto and Francesco Tensi on June 15, 1867. The company headquarters was based in Milan, Italy. Fratelli Tensi produced lithography and chromolithography illustrations for posters, children’s books, poetry books, and souvenirs. The company ceased production in 1973.
The Fratelli Tensi Lithographic Souvenir Coin Depicting Architectural Sites in Rome is dated circa 1890. The coin opens and contains 18 lithographic illustrations of architectural sites in Rome printed on circular and connected pieces of paper. The names of the architectural sites are included with the illustrations and are written in Italian. Architectural sites depicted in the illustrations include the Roman Forum, the Arch of Constantine, and the Colosseum. One side of the coin depicts an engraving of the Capitoline Wolf nursing the mythical founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. The letters “S.P.Q.R.” and the word “Roma” are included with the engraving of the Capitoline Wolf. The word “Souvenir” is engraved on the reverse side of the coin.