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A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Vatican City State, issued on September 6, 2022, with a circulation of 68,000 copies. Dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the birth of Pope Paul VI. The author of the design is Daniela Longo (D. Longo). Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g. Minted at IPZS in Rome.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts a full-length portrait of Pope Paul VI with his arms outstretched (which extend to the outer ring), in a gesture of greeting the faithful. Near the inner edge on the left, in a semicircle, is the inscription "CITTA' DEL VATICANO", on the right, from top to bottom, is the inscription "PAPA PAOLO VI". On the left, in the free space between the inscription and the image, are the years "1897" and "2022", below them is the mint mark "R". Below, near the edge, is the name of the author "D. LONGO". The engraver's initials are on the right, near the portrait. 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 Paul VI (Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini, 1897-1978) was the 262nd Pope of Rome (1963-1978). He was born on September 26, 1897 in Concesio near Brescia (Italy). Ordained a priest in 1920, he worked for a long time in the Vatican Secretariat of State. In 1954 he was appointed Archbishop of Milan, in 1958 - Cardinal. Elected Pope on June 21, 1963, after the death of John XXIII. Concluded the work of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), which introduced the greatest reforms in the Church in 400 years, including liturgical reform, ecumenical dialogue, and modernization of the Church. The first pope to travel by plane and visit all five continents. Died August 6, 1978. Beatified in 2014, canonized by Pope Francis on October 14, 2018.