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A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Vatican City State, issued on 1 October 2019 in a circulation of 85,000 copies. Dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the completion of the restoration of the Sistine Chapel frescoes. The author of the design is Daniela Longo (D. Longo). Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g. Minted at the IPZS in Rome.
Obverse
The coin depicts a detail from the fresco "The Last Judgment" (Giudizio Universale) by Michelangelo Buonarroti from the Sistine Chapel - the figures of Christ the Judge and the Virgin Mary. This monumental fresco decorates the altar wall of the chapel and was created between 1536 and 1541. On the left, in a semicircle, is the inscription of the issuing country "CITTÀ DEL VATICANO" (Vatican City State). On the right, in a semicircle, are the inscriptions "CAPPELLA SISTINA — FINE DEI RESTAURI" (Sistine Chapel — completion of restoration) and the years "1994-2019". On the right, is the mint mark "R", below is the name of the author "D. LONGO". 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. 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 with fine ribbing and the inscription "2 ★", repeated six times alternately upright and inverted.
Historical context
The Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina) is a papal chapel in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, built in 1475-1483 by Pope Sixtus IV. Conclaves to elect a new pope are held here. The chapel is decorated with frescoes by the most prominent Renaissance masters - Botticelli, Pinturicchio, Perugino, Ghirlandaio. The most famous frescoes are the ceiling (1508-1512) and the Last Judgment (1536-1541) by Michelangelo. A large-scale restoration of the frescoes lasted from 1980 to 1994 under the leadership of Gianluigi Colalucci and Carlo Pietrangeli. It was one of the largest restoration campaigns of the 20th century, restoring Michelangelo's works to their original vibrant colors, hidden by centuries of dirt and grime. The completion of the work in 1994 was a significant event in world cultural life.