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A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Vatican City State, issued in March 2013 in a circulation of 125,000 copies. Dedicated to the period of the Vacant Apostolic See (Sede Vacante MMXIII) between the abdication of Pope Benedict XVI (February 28, 2013) and the election of Pope Francis (March 13, 2013). This is the first ever euro coin issued during the Sede Vacante. The author of the design is Daniela Longo (D. Longo), the engraver is Sergio Prisco (SP inc.). Bimetallic (copper-nickel ring, three-layer core — nickel brass/nickel/nickel brass), diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g. Minted at IPZS in Rome.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts the coat of arms of the Apostolic Camera (Camera Apostolica) — the institution that manages the temporal affairs and property of the Holy See during the Sede Vacante period. The coat of arms contains a heraldic composition characteristic of the period of the vacant throne: an umbrella (umbraculum or ombrellino) of red and gold colors, under which are crossed two keys of St. Peter — gold and silver, tied with a cord. The umbrella replaces the traditional papal tiara, since there is no pope. Below the coat of arms of the Apostolic Camera is the personal coat of arms of Cardinal-Camerlengo Tarcisio Bertone, who managed the Apostolic Camera during this period. At the top, in a semicircle, is the inscription "CITTÀ DEL VATICANO" (Vatican City State). At the bottom, is the inscription "SEDE VACANTE MMXIII" (Vacant See 2013). On the right is the mint mark "R", on the left is the name of the author "D. LONGO", at the bottom are the initials of the engraver "SP INC". 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 (Royal Belgian Mint). It depicts a map of Europe as a single continent without internal borders - a symbol of European unity. On the left is a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right is a map with six thin horizontal lines in the background. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the European Union. The band is finely fluted and has the inscription "2 ★", repeated six times, alternately upright and inverted.
Historical context
Sede Vacante (Latin for "vacant throne") is a canonical term denoting the period when the Apostolic See (the office of the Pope of Rome) remains unoccupied - due to the death or resignation of the pontiff - until the election of a new pope in a conclave. In 2013, this event was extraordinary: on February 11, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger, born 1927) announced his abdication from the papal throne for health reasons - the first voluntary abdication of a pope since 1415 (when Gregory XII abdicated), and the first voluntary abdication on his own initiative since 1294 (Celestine V). The resignation took effect on 28 February 2013 at 8:00 p.m. The Sede Vacante period lasted from 28 February to 13 March 2013, when a conclave of 115 cardinal electors in the Sistine Chapel elected Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) - the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit to occupy the See of St. Peter. During the Sede Vacante, the Vatican is governed by the Cardinal Camerlengo - at that time Tarcisio Bertone (born 1934). The Apostolic Camera (Camera Apostolica) is an ancient institution of the Roman Curia responsible for the administration of the temporal assets of the Holy See during the period of vacancy.