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A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Vatican City State, issued on 12 October 2009 in a circulation of 111,000 copies (for 2010). Dedicated to the Year of the Priest. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g. Minted at the IPZS in Rome.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts a scene in which a shepherd (priest) saves a lamb from the mouth of a lion - an allegory of the Gospel parable of the good shepherd (John 10:11), who gives his life for the sheep. This symbol emphasizes the pastoral role of the priest as the protector of his flock. At the top in an arc is the inscription "CITTÀ DEL VATICANO", at the bottom in smaller letters - "ANNO SACERDOTALE" (Year of the Priest). On the left is the year of minting, below is the mint mark "R", on the right are the initials of the author and engraver. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the European Union.
Reverse
The reverse is the common side of the 2 euro coins of the second type, designed by Luc Luix. A map of Europe without internal borders, on the left is the denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right is the map. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the EU. On the band is a groove with the inscription "2 ★ ★", repeated six times.
Historical context
The Year of the Priest (Annus Sacerdotalis) was proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI on 16 March 2009 and officially lasted from 19 June 2009 to 19 June 2010. The year was dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the death of Saint Jean Marie Vianney (1786–1859), a French Catholic priest who became famous for his pastoral work in the small village of Ars-sur-Formane, where pilgrims came to confess. In 1925, Pope Pius XI canonized him and in 1929 declared him the patron saint of parish priests. The aim of the Year of the Priest was to promote “the interior renewal of all priests for a more powerful and effective witness to the Gospel in the modern world,” wrote Benedict XVI in his letter announcing the year. In it, the pope called Jean Marie Vianney “a true example of a shepherd in the service of Christ’s flock.”