These nine-year BTPs offered a fixed interest rate of 5 per cent and had a duration of nine years. Investors holding these securities received annual interest equal to 5% of the nominal value of the security.
The title of these BTPs featured an image taken from the painting by Paolo Caliari, known as Veronese (1528-1588), entitled 'Allegoria di Venezia' or 'Glory of Venice'. This work represented an ode to the city of Venice and its greatness, and was a way of celebrating the historical and cultural importance of the city.
These BTP bearer bonds had denominations ranging from 5,000 to 1,000,000 Italian lire (before the introduction of the euro). This meant that the securities could be purchased in different denominations, depending on the investor's financial means.