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A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Vatican City State, issued in June 2017 in a circulation of 95,000 copies. Dedicated to the 1950th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul. The author of the design is Guido Titotto (G. Titotto), the engraver is Momoni (Momoni inc.). Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g. Minted at IPZS in Rome.
Obverse
The coin depicts the figures of Saint Peter and Saint Paul together with their traditional attributes - the keys (Peter) and the sword (Paul). The keys symbolize the "keys of the Kingdom of Heaven", which Christ entrusted to Peter as the first pope, and the sword - the martyrdom of Paul through beheading (as a Roman citizen). At the top, in a semicircle, is the inscription "CITTÀ DEL VATICANO" (Vatican City State), at the bottom, in a semicircle, "1950° DEL MARTIRIO DEI SANTI PIETRO E PAOLO" (1950th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul). At the bottom left is the year "2017", at the right is the mark "R", between them is the name of the author "G. TITOTTO". On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the EU.
Reverse
The reverse is the common side of the 2 euro coins of the second type, designed by Luc Luix. It depicts a map of Europe as a single continent without internal borders. On the left is a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right is a map. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the EU. The band is finely fluted and has the inscription "2 ★", repeated six times, alternately upright and inverted.
Historical context
Saints Peter and Paul are the two most important apostles of Christianity, who are revered as the founders of the Roman Church. According to Christian tradition, both were martyred in Rome during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Nero around 64-67 AD. Peter, who considered himself unworthy to die in the same way as Christ, was crucified upside down on the Vatican Hill - it was on the site of his burial that St. Peter's Basilica was later built. Paul, as a Roman citizen, was executed by beheading behind the Ostia Via - where the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls was built. The Church celebrates their common feast day on June 29 every year. In 2017, Pope Francis dedicated a series of solemn liturgies and initiatives to the anniversary.