1154) Archangel Michael, Vatican City: Ufficio Filatelico e Numismatico Governatorato della Citta del Vaticano (meaning "Office of the Philatelic and Numismatic Governor of the Vatican City") has started a Three Coin Series titled " Archangels": First 200 Euro Gold Coin features the Archangel Michael: Coin issue date: 03.12.2019:

1154) Archangel Michael, Vatican City: Ufficio Filatelico e Numismatico Governatorato della Citta del Vaticano (meaning "Office of the Philatelic and Numismatic Governor of the Vatican City") has started a Three Coin Series titled " Archangels": First 200 Euro Gold Coin  features the Archangel Michael: Coin issue date: 03.12.2019:

The Ufficio Filatelico e Numismatico Governatorato della Citta del Vaticano (meaning "Office of the Philatelic and Numismatic Governor of the Vatican City") has commenced the issue of new Gold Coins which kick-start a three year Gold Coin release dedicated to the Archangels - Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. It is believed that praying to and entrusting those who look to the archangels to help fight against the downward temptations of life, are co-operating in "God's plan of salvation".

Beginning with 2019, the Vatican Treasury has released the first coin featuring the archangel Michael. 

The Archangel Michael:

The Obverse and Reverse of the 200 Euro Gold Coin placed side-by-side

The Coin Series begins with Michael. Known in many Christian denominations as "Saint Michael the Archangel" or "Saint Michael", he is mentioned in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament's Book of Revelation". 

As a leader of the holy legion, Michael has a devoted following. He became the patron saint of the Holy Roman Empire after the victorious battle of Lechfeld in 955.

He is referred to as one "who fights against the devil". His primary Western liturgical feast day in celebrated on 29/09 and is referred to as "Michaelmas". In the Eastern liturgical calendar, his feast day is on 08/11, when all the archangels are honoured.

A photograph of Pope Francis, with Archangel Michael's sculpture in the background, which has been depicted on this Gold Coin

The Coin:

The Gold Coins in this Series are minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Sello Stato (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome on behalf of the Treasury of the Holy See.

The Reverse of the 200 Euro Gold Coin reproduces a monumental statue of Archangel Michael located in the Vatican Gardens sculpted by Giuseppe Antonio Lomuscio.

The statue was blessed by both Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, under whose pontificate it was commissioned and by Pope Francis, at the time of its inauguration, which occurred on 05/07.2013.

On the base, the coin bears the Coat of Arms of both popes.

The denomination of the coin - "200 EURO" is placed on the centre left periphery arranged both in horizontal and vertical directions.

On the Obverse of the 200 Euro Gold Coin are seen elements of the personal crest of Pope Francis along with his title in Latin and the year of issue in Roman numerals - "MMXIX".

The specifications of this Gold Coin are:

Theme: Archangels; Denomination: 200 Euro; Metal Composition: .917 Gold (Au); Weight: 40.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.5 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 499 pieces; Minted by: IPZS in Rome; On behalf of:  the Vatican City Philatelic & Numismatic Administration; Coin issue date: 03.12.2019.

Remarks: Each Coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

For some other interesting posts from Italy/The Vatican, please visit the following links:

1) Historic Sassi (meaning "The Stones of Matera"): (I Sassi di Matera Basilicata): "Italy of the Arts Series": (Serie Italia della Arti): A 10 Euro Proof Silver Coin issued by the "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca Della Stato" (IPZS) on 19.09.2017

2) 80th anniversary of the Founding of the Vatican City State (1929-2009): A Vatican Euro Coin Set depicting Pope Benedict XVI on the Obverse, issued by Vatican City Mint in 2009

3) Amatrice: "Art Treasures of Amartice", Italy: A 5 Euro Bimetallic Commemorative Coin issued by Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato (IPZS) on 06.08.2018

4) Marco Polo, Explorer, Italy (1254-8/9.01.1324): A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued by Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca di Stato, the Italian State Mint (2018)

5) Vespa, Italy: "Italian Excellence Collector Coin Series": A 5 Euro Silver Coin in three selectively coloured variants brought out by "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato (IPZS) on 12.04.2019

6) Israel-Vatican Joint Issue: Celebrating 25 Years of diplomatic relations between Israel & the Holy See: A Commemorative Stamp issued jointly by Israel Philatelic Service & the Holy See Numismatic Service/Vatican Post: Stamp issue date: 10.09.2019

Posts on the Eurostar Coin Programme on this Blog:

1) Europa Coin Programme: A series of six coins issued by the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint) with the theme "The Age of Iron & Glass" in January 2017

2) The Golden Age of Finnish Art: A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued by the Mit of Finland with the theme "The Age of Iron And Glass" on 20.02.2017

3) Baptism of Christ: 50 Euro Gold and 10 Euro Silver Coins issued by the Central Bank of Malta on the theme "Baroque and Rococo Art" on 14.03.2018

4) The "Baroque & Rococo Era" in France : Coins feature, The Hall of Mirrors, Rococo elements of the Palace of Versailles, philosopher Voltaire and the Dancing King Louis XIV in gold & silver coins issued during 2018, under the "Europa Coin Programme" 

5) Malta: Renaissance Era Ship design depicting the Order od St. John's "Gran Carracca Sant' Anna" features of the latest Europa Silver Star Programme issue from the Central Bank of Malta: Coin issue date: 15.03.2019

6) Spanish Renaissance: 200 Euro (4 Escudo) Gold and Silver 10 Euro (8 Reales) Collector Coins: "Europa Coin Programme" or the "Eurostar Coin Programme" depicted on Gold and Silver Coins issued by the Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre - Casa Real de la Moneda: Issue date: 27.05.2019

7) 500th Anniversary of the Birth of Tintoretto, Italy: "20 Euro Gold Coin": "Europa Coin Programme" ot the "Eurostar Coin Programme"depicted on Gold Coins issued by the Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato (IPZS): Coin issue date: 18.06.2019

8) The Exquisite & Historic Cathedral of Milan, Italy: "Italy of the Arts" Coin Series which began in 2012: A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued on 02.10.2019 minted by "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato" (IPZS)