Sandra Deiana is an internationally acclaimed Italian coin designer and medallic sculptor known for her work with major mints including The Royal Mint, the Central Bank of Ireland and the Italian Mint.
Key Facts
- Born Sandra Deiana in Cagliari, Italy in 1990.
- Studied at the Artistic High School of Cagliari, Academy of Fine Arts in Rome and the School of Medal Art with the Italian Mint.
- Moved to the United States to study under renowned sculptors Heidi Wastweet and Alicia Ponzio.
- Completed work for various clients across the world including The Royal Mint, Commonwealth Mint and Central Bank of Ireland.
Early Life & Education
Sandra Deiana was born in 1990 in Cagliari, Italy and became interested in coins at an early age, when in 1996, she became fascinated by an ancient silver coin her father found in a small hole in the ground.
A native of Sardinia, Sandra Deiana grew up in the town of Settimo San Pietro where she attended primary school, discovering her love for drawing at a young age. For her secondary education, Sandra Deiana went on to attend the Artistic High School of Cagliari, also known as Liceo Artistico di Cagliari, graduating in 2007 with top marks.
In 2009, Sandra Deiana moved to Rome, where she studied at the Academy of Fine Arts, leaving after 3 years when she was one of twelve students to be accepted into a prestigious three year program at the School of Medal Art with the Italian Mint in 2012.
After leaving the School of Medal Art in 2015 as an expert in classical engraving techniques like burin and copperplate engraving, Sandra Deiana moved to the United States to study under renowned sculptors Heidi Wastweet and Alicia Ponzio.
Artistic Career
Sandra Deiana began her professional career around 2015 after moving to the United States, completing over 100 coin and medal designs for major national mints and private clients. The artistic style and expertise of Sandra Deiana is noted for blending traditional hand sculpted plaster models with modern digital refinement.
The first major commission which Sandra Deiana completed was the €10 Christ Church Cathedral commemorative coin which she completed in 2016 for the Central Bank of Ireland.
Coin Design
From the many coin designs and commissions for several world mints, some of the famous work completed by Sandra Deiana includes:
- Eileen Gray: Issued on 30th November 2016, Sandra Deiana created the reverse of the commemorative 2016 Irish €10 silver proof coin, which celebrated the acclaimed Irish architect and designer.
- Phil Lynott: Part of the Modern Irish Musicians series with the Central Bank of Ireland, Sandra Deiana designed a limited edition €15 silver proof coin. Featuring Phil Lynott, the bass player and singer of the band, Thin Lizzy, the coin was released in 2019 to mark the 70th anniversary of his birth.
- Three Ages of Women Britannia: As part of a launch by The Royal Mint to celebrate International Women's Day, Sandra Deiana designed the 'Three Ages of Women', Britannia, representing youth, maturity and wisdom. Released in 2022, the design was inspired by Gustav Klimt's 1905 painting, celebrating women of all ages as equals.
- Women’s Ireland Football Team: A commemorative coin was released to mark the Ireland Women's National Football Team's achievement of reaching their first World Cup, after qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. To celebrate the milestone, Sandra Deiana worked with the Central Bank of Ireland to design a €15 silver proof commemorative coin which was released on 14th July 2023.
- George Michael: As part of The Royal Mint's 'Music Legends', series, Sandra Deiana designed the coin which featured George Michael. Unveiled on 26th February 2024, the coin highlights the iconic Faith era look of George Michael wearing his trademark sunglasses and leather jacket.
- The Angel: Sandra Deiana reimagined the design of the historic coin for The Royal Mint which was released in 2026.
- Queen Mother: Sandra Deiana designed a commemorative coin for the Commonwealth Mint, which was released in 2025 to mark the 125th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.
Medals & Artistic Projects
Alongside coins, Sandra Deiana has completed a number of medals and artistic projects for public and private clients from around the world. Notable work includes:
- Sardinian Masks: Sandra Deiana received international acclaim for her coin design dedicated to the traditional masks of her homeland, Sardinia. The design, created by Sandra Deiana, won the Silver Prize at the Shanghai Mint's Coin Forum in 2019.
- The Janas Medal: Illustrating legendary Sardinian fairy figures, Sandra Deiana won first place for the design of the medal at the Japan Mint's International Coin Design Competition which took place in 2023.
- Good Friday Agreement 25th Anniversary Medal: Awarded to key architects and world leaders of the peace process in Northern Ireland, including Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, the medals were presented at the 'Agreement 25', conference in April 2023 at Queen’s University Belfast.
- Italian Tricolour 220th Anniversary: Sandra Deiana created a commemorative medal in celebration of the creation of the Italian national flag, marking the 220th anniversary of its creation on 7th January 2017. The Italian flag was adopted on 7th January 1797, in Reggio Emilia and was proposed by Deputy Giuseppe Compagnoni.
- Calendar Medal: Created by Sandra Deiana in 2021 for the historic Florentine firm, Picchiani & Barlacchi. A contemporary medal, it functions as a perpetual or specific annual calendar, reflecting the historical tradition of bronze medal calendars.
