Popes on Vatican euro coins
by Françoise from association Les Amis de l’Euro.
Image: European Central Bank
The Vatican is currently in the spotlight for many reasons: religious, political, social, philosophical, etc. But what about numismatics?
The single currency was introduced in 2002, under the pontificate of John Paul II. The current Vatican coins, from 1 c to 2 EUR, show him in profile on the left, in a design that is identical for all denominations. He is shown below on the 2 EUR coin.
Image 1. 2 Euro 2002, Vatican City. European Central Bank
On his death in 2005, the Vatican minted the 1 c to 2 EUR ‘Sede Vacante’ (Vacant See) series, which depicts the coat of arms of the then camerlengo, Spanish cardinal Eduardo Martínez Somalo, under the emblem of the Apostolic Chamber (papal pavilion and keys of Saint Peter). The ritual is also identical in philately. Below is the 2 EUR coin from this series.
Image 2. 2 Euro, Vatican City. European Central Bank
Then Benedict XVI acceded to the pontificate and a new series of current coins was minted. John Paul II was looking to the left, Benedict XVI is looking to the right, this change of orientation being common during a succession. John Paul II was in profile, Benedict XVI is three-quarters face on. But, as with John Paul II, the visual is identical on all the coins in the series.
2013 marked the resignation of Benedict XVI.
Collectors expecting a second ‘Sede Vacante’ series were disappointed. The European Commission's recommendation of 19 December 2008 stipulates that “A temporary vacancy or the provisional occupation of the function of Head of State should not give the right to change the national sides of the regular euro coins intended for circulation.”
It's very subtle: the Vatican isn't even mentioned, even though it's clearly a rebuke to the minting of the ‘Sede Vacante’ series. But there's no appeal: these series are finished.
That said, according to the same document, the Vatican has been authorised to mint a commemorative 2 EUR coin (i.e. only one coin and not a series) on the vacancy of the See. Using the same rules as in 2005, it depicts the arms of the camerlengo, this time Italian Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. This is the coin I presented in the opening this article and which I reproduce below.
Image 4. 2 Euro 2013, Vatican City. European Central Bank
Then comes Francis, and something new: there are three different visuals in the same series.
Image 5. 5 Euro Cent, 50 Euro Cent and 2 Euro 2016, Vatican City. European Central Bank.
Francis is taking up John Paul II's left profile orientation on the 1 c to 5 c coins, he is taking up Benedict XVI's three-quarter face to right orientation on the 1 EUR and 2 EUR coins, and he is introducing a frontal representation, a first, on the 10 c to 50 c coins. Facing centre, with John Paul II looking left and Benedict XVI looking right, this should perhaps be seen as a symbol, but that is beyond the scope of this article.
Big surprise in 2016, when the Vatican decided to change the design of all its current coins, which is not normally allowed since the series must be used for at least 15 years. But since 2017, the effigy of Francis has disappeared and all the Vatican's current coins show his coat of arms. Below is the 2 EUR coin from this fifth series.
Image 6. 2 Euro 2017, Vatican City. European Central Bank.
The Vatican's diplomatic skills are well known. But how did it go about imposing this new series? Why did the European Commission agree? I'm not aware of any official information, but it's safe to assume - even if the rule isn't written down anywhere - that the fact that you don't want your image to appear on coins is enough to allow you to change the design, and it's likely that Francis no longer wanted to appear on euro coins.
Alongside these series, there are still a few euro coins featuring a pope, the first being the 2007 2 EUR commemorative coin celebrating the 80th birthday of Benedict XVI.
Image 7. 2 Euro 2007, Vatican City. European Central Bank.
I didn't quite understand this coin: the ecclesiastical, religious, artistic, cultural, political and other events, be they Italian, European or even worldwide, over which the Catholic Church could have claimed an influence for two millennia, could have provided the theme for many coins in 2007.
But the Holy See's choice in 2007 was the Pope's birthday, which surprised some collectors.
And since then, several commemorative EUR 2 coins have featured a pope:
John Paul II and Paul VI, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the former in 2020 and the 125th anniversary of the birth of the latter in 2022,
Pius XI as Head of State of the Vatican at the signing of the Lateran Agreement in 1929, on the 2019 coin celebrating its 90th anniversary,
Pius XI and Pius XII on the coin that should have been minted in 2024, on the 150th anniversary of the birth of Guglielmo Marconi, but which we are still waiting for.
Let's move on to recent news: Francis dies on 21st April 2025.
This means two things (two hopes) from the collector's point of view: a new ‘Sede Vacante’ commemorative coin and a new series of euros from 1 c to 2 EUR.
The next ‘Sede Vacante’ coin will therefore be a commemorative 2 EUR coin, and not a complete series for the reasons explained above. If it follows the same rules as its predecessors, and there is every reason to believe that it will, it will feature the coat of arms of the camerlengo, the American-Irish cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell. It will therefore look more or less as the image 8. below (design by: https://www.friziodesign.it/coins24.html).
Image 8. Artist’s impression of 2 Euro, Vatican City. Frizio Design.
The latest rumours are that the coin could be available within three months.
On the other hand, the next series of Vatican coins will undoubtedly make reference to Pope Leo XIV. But how? With his effigy? With his coat of arms? With a symbol of a theme close to his heart? With a surprise?
As Virgil said: ‘Tempus erit’...
Written by Les Amis de l’Euro.
The article is provided by Les Amis de l’Euro. The French association established in 2003, has 1,300 members across Europe (among others) and a team of volunteer specialists dedicated to serving Euro collectors.
The Association has defined four objectives:
Information: Collecting as much information as possible about euro coins and banknotes and making it available on their website.
Engagement: Creating and maintaining connections among members, answering their questions, and managing a discussion forum.
Collection Management: Regularly updating an online catalogue, facilitating bulk orders for members to secure euros at favourable rates, and regularly issuing numismatic items featuring the association's insignia.
Representation: Thanks to the number and expertise of its members, the association represents collectors to the European Central Bank, the European Commission, and the press, among others. The association also participates in major French and international trade shows.