A new commemorative coin dedicated to the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 (IYWF2026) was officially launched today at a ceremony at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Developed in partnership with the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), Italy's State Mint, the 5-euro silver coin represents Italy's national contribution to the global observance led by FAO, with the participation of Coldiretti, Italy's largest farmers' organization. The initiative pays tribute to the essential role of women across agrifood systems - as stewards of land, biodiversity and food security.
"This coin is more than a piece of silver - it tells the story of passion, resilience, inclusiveness, frugality, innovation and of the leadership of women farmers around the world. It tells their story and inspires us to follow their example," said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu.
"This coin is a symbol of concrete collaboration. It is a powerful emblem capable of conveying a strong civic message: the FAO logo, the wheat grains and the figure of the woman farmer - representing the many roles she plays across the primary sector - together create a compelling visual narrative. In this harmony of symbols, numismatics demonstrates its ability to combine beauty with meaning," said Paolo Perrone, President of the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, Italy's State Mint.
"I am honoured to represent all women in agriculture - women who, through commitment and hard work over time, have carved out a fundamental role as custodians of territories, biodiversity and the intrinsic value of food," commented Cristina Brizzolari, President of Coldiretti Piemonte and member of the National Council of Coldiretti.
A coin that will endure over time and will carry the message of the International Year of the Woman Farmer well beyond the end of 2026. Today's public unveiling took place during the joint International Women's Day event co-organized by FAO, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP). This year's United Nations theme - "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls." - underscored global efforts to eliminate discrimination and advance equal access to services, resources and justice for women in rural and agrifood sectors.
"The Italian State Printing Office and Mint has long celebrated Italy's agricultural identity, minting coins that honour rural landscapes, biodiversity, and food heritage. This commemorative coin continues that tradition, reflecting FAO's mission and Coldiretti's vision," the FAO Director-General underlined.
As part of the Year's initiatives, the coin will be displayed at the FAO Food and Agriculture Museum (FAO MuNe), alongside materials highlighting women's contributions to food, agriculture and cultural heritage.
The coin forms part of Italy's 2026 Numismatic Collection, the annual series of commemorative and collector coins issued by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and produced by the State Mint. Its inclusion in this national collection represents a tangible tribute to the essential - yet often under-recognized - role of women across agrifood systems.
Design and craftsmanship
Designed by artist Annalisa Masini with contributions from FAO designer Guido Chiefalo, the coin is struck in 925 silver (92.5% pure silver) and produced in Proof finish, a high-precision technique used for collector coins.
The obverse features the FAO emblem, the inscription Repubblica Italiana, the nominal value 5 euro, stylized wheat grains and the traditional "R" mintmark of the Rome Mint. The reverse displays the official IYWF2026 emblem, illustrating the diverse roles women play across agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forestry.
Supporting the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026
The commemorative coin contributes to the broader objectives of the International Year, which focuses on expanding women farmers' access to resources, legal protection, economic opportunities and leadership roles.
A video presenting the commemorative coin and its design is also available here.
