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A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Vatican City State, issued in 2025 in a circulation of 76,000 copies on the occasion of the Vacant See period. Bimetallic, 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 Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, who managed the property affairs of the Holy See during the interregnum. Above the coat of arms is an umbraculum (umbrella) and the crossed keys of the Apostolic Camera, symbols of the papal authority entrusted to the Camerlengo during the absence of the pontiff. Between the inscriptions "CITTÀ DEL VATICANO" and "SEDE VACANTE" is depicted the dove of the Holy Spirit, a symbol of prayer for Divine guidance of the cardinals during the conclave. Along the edge of the coin are the inscriptions "CITTÀ DEL VATICANO", "SEDE VACANTE" and the year in Roman numerals "MMXXV" (2025). The "R" mark is located below the coat of arms of the camerlegno. 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 the inscription "2 ★", repeated six times alternately upright and inverted.
Historical context
Sede Vacante (from Latin "vacant throne") is the period between the death or abdication of the Pope and the election of his successor. At this time, the management of the financial and administrative affairs of the Holy See passes to the Cardinal Camerlengo (Cardinale Camerlengo), who effectively acts as a temporary head of state. Sede Vacante MMXXV is the third such case in the history of the euro after 2005 (death of John Paul II) and 2013 (abdication of Benedict XVI). It began after the death of Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) on April 21, 2025 at the age of 89. The Camerlengo during the interregnum was Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell (born 1947, Ireland-USA). On May 8, 2025, the conclave elected Robert Francis Prevost as the new pope, taking the name Leo XIV, the first American pope in history. At the time of the coin's creation, 5- and 25-euro coins dedicated to the Vacant See were also issued.