New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

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: The 750Th anniversary of the death of St. Thomas Aquinas

Description of the design: The design features St. Thomas Aquinas in the foreground in the vestments of the Dominican Order to which he belonged. In his left hand he holds a volume of his most important work, the Summa Theologiae, and in the other a pen. A shining sun stands out on the saint’s chest, a symbol of his great wisdom. Among the various titles he received, he is most widely known as the “Angelic Doctor”, which is quoted below and which glorifies his exceptional purity of soul and body. In the background on the left is the lily, a symbol of chastity, and the Church of St. Thomas of Roccasecca, the first religious building in the world built in honor of St. Thomas Aquinas, declared a saint on July 18, 1323 by Pope John XXII. At the top is the inscription “CITTÀ DEL VATICANO”. At the left is the year “1274” and at the right the year “2024” and underneath it are the mintmark “R” and the name of the artist “A. CICCONI”.

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

Estimated number of coins to be issued: 82 900

Date of issue: October 2024

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(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).