National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by the Vatican City State

Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009  (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the European Union providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

Issuing country: Vatican City State

Subject of commemoration: Sede vacante 2025

Description of the design: The design depicts the coat of arms of the Cardinal Camerlengo positioned beneath the symbol of the Apostolic Chamber, represented by two crossed keys surmounted by a pavilion. The inscriptions “CITTA’ DEL VATICANO”, “SEDE VACANTE” and “MMXXV”, indicating the year of issue, are engraved along the coin’s edge. An abstract representation of a dove appears between the inscriptions “CITTA’ DEL VATICANO” and “SEDE VACANTE”. The letter “R”, identifying the Rome Mint, is placed below the Camerlengo’s coat of arms, flanked by the name of the coin’s engraver on the left, and the name of the coin’s designer on the right (“O. ROSSI” for Orietta Rossi).

The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Estimated number of coins to be issued: 76 000

Date of issue: June 2025

(1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.

(2)  See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52).