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A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Vatican City State, issued in 2007 in a circulation of 100,000 copies. Dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the birth of Pope Benedict XVI. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g. Minted at IPZS in Rome.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts a portrait of Pope Benedict XVI in profile, facing left. Around the portrait is a circle with the Latin inscription "BENEDICTI XVI P.M. ÆTATIS ANNO LXXX • CITTÀ DEL VATICANO" (Pope Benedict XVI at the age of 80 • Vatican City State) - the name of the city-state is written in larger letters. To the left of the portrait is the mint mark "R" (Rome) and the year "2007". Below are the initials of the author and engraver. On the outer ring - 12 stars of the European Union.
Reverse
The reverse is the common side of the 2 euro coins of the first type, designed by Luc Luix. On the left - the denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right - a map of the European Union. On the outer ring - 12 stars of the EU. On the band - a groove with the inscription "2 ★ ★", repeated six times.
Historical context
Pope Benedict XVI (in the world - Joseph Alois Ratzinger) was born on April 16, 1927 in Marktli am Inn, Bavaria, Germany. Ordained a priest on June 29, 1951. An outstanding theologian, he was a professor at several German universities (Tübingen, Regensburg). In 1977, he was appointed Archbishop of Munich and a cardinal. From 1981 to 2005, he headed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (formerly the Inquisition). On April 19, 2005, he was elected the 265th Pope of Rome in a conclave convened after the death of Pope John Paul II. He took the name Benedict XVI in honor of Saint Benedict of Nursia (patron of Europe) and Pope Benedict XV. On February 11, 2013, he announced his resignation - the first time in almost 600 years (since 1415) that a pope had resigned. He died on December 31, 2022 in the Vatican.