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Introduction
In 2025, the Vatican City State issued a 2-euro commemorative coin to celebrate the 550th anniversary of the birth of Michelangelo Buonarroti, born in 1475. This initiative pays tribute to one of the greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance, whose works profoundly mark the spiritual and artistic identity of the Vatican. Michelangelo left an indelible mark on the history of sacred art and Vatican architecture, particularly with the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. Therefore, this issue constitutes a visual and symbolic tribute to his timeless genius.
Coin description
The obverse of the coin features an imposing view of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, Michelangelo’s iconic work. This representation occupies the center of the composition and symbolizes the artist’s creative power. Furthermore, the dome rises majestically above a stylized detail of Vatican architecture, providing a vertical perspective that accentuates the monumentality of the building.
On the left side of the obverse, one can read the handwritten inscription “Michelangelo”, the artist’s stylized signature. Just to the right of it, two dates are inscribed: “1475” and “2025”, marking respectively the year of Michelangelo’s birth and the year of the coin’s issue. In addition, the letter “R” appears to the left of the signature, indicating the mint in Rome, responsible for the minting.
In the upper right part of the central motif, the inscription “CITTÀ DEL VATICANO” appears in an arc. This wording, in Italian, translates to “Vatican City”, clearly identifying the coin’s issuer. In addition, the outer border features the twelve stars of the European Union, which express the shared values of solidarity and unity among European nations.
The entire composition combines graphic balance and symbolic meaning. It recalls both Michelangelo’s role in the artistic renewal of Christianity and his inseparable link with the Vatican City.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this 2 euro coin issued by the Vatican in 2025 for the 550th anniversary of Michelangelo pays eloquent tribute to one of the greatest masters in the history of Western art. It underlines the importance of his architectural and spiritual legacy, particularly through the representation of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. Consequently, this coin symbolizes the union between faith, art, and historical memory, while reaffirming the centrality of the Vatican as a place of culture and the sacred.
Country of issue: | |
Issue Date: | June 2025 |
Total mintage: | 80.000 |
– Proof: | 0 |
– BU: | 80.000 |
– UNC: | 0 |
Engraver: | Daniela Longo |
Edge: | |
Rarity: | |
Official Journal: | To be defined on EUR-Lex |
My collection: | [cbxwpbookmarkbtn] |
Would you like to know the technical characteristics of this coin? Then don’t hesitate to consult the page dedicated to the characteristics of a 2-euro coin.
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