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A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Vatican City State, issued on June 23, 2020, with a circulation of 65,000 copies. Dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of Pope John Paul II. The author of the design is Guido Titotto (G. Titotto), the engraver is Maria Angela Cassol (M.A.C. inc). Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g. It was minted at IPZS in Rome.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts a portrait of Pope John Paul II and the Basilica of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Wadowice (Poland), the city where Karol Wojtyla was born. At the top left, in a semicircle, is the inscription "PAPA GIOVANNI PAOLO II" (Pope John Paul II). On the right are the years "1920 2020" and the mint mark "R". Below, in a semicircle, is the name of the issuing country "CITTA' DEL VATICANO". Below the image of the basilica, is the name of the author "G. TITOTTO" and the initials of the engraver "M.A.C. INC" (Maria Angela Cassol). 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 finely fluted and has the inscription "2 ★", repeated six times, alternately upright and inverted.
Historical context
Saint John Paul II (Karol Józef Wojtyla, 1920-2005) was the 264th Pope of Rome, the first non-Italian on the throne of St. Peter since 1523 and the first Slav in the history of the papacy. He was born on May 18, 1920 in Wadowice, Poland. He survived World War II, and during the German occupation he worked in a quarry and at a chemical plant, while studying in an underground seminary. He was ordained a priest in 1946. Became Archbishop of Kraków in 1964, Cardinal in 1967. Elected Pope on 16 October 1978 and served until his death on 2 April 2005 - the third longest pontificate in history (almost 27 years). Visited 129 countries, played a key role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. Canonized on 27 April 2014 by Pope Francis together with John XXIII.