1254) Michelangelo's "Pieta", Vatican City: New Copper Coin Series titled "Art and Faith": A 10 Euro Copper Coin minted by the "Instituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of the "Ufficio Filatelico e Numismatico Governatorato della Citta del Vaticano": Coin issue date: 05.03.2020:

1254) Michelangelo's "Pieta", Vatican City: New Copper Coin Series titled "Art and Faith": A 10 Euro Copper Coin minted by the "Instituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of the "Ufficio Filatelico e Numismatico Governatorato della Citta del Vaticano": Coin issue date: 05.03.2020:

The Ufficio Filatelico e Numismatico Governatorato della Citta del Vaticano - Holy see is issuing on 05.03.2020, new copper Collector Coins focussing on the theme of "Art and Faith", the combination of which has always characterised art and distinguishes innumerable masterpieces preserved in the Vatican City, some of which will feature in this Coin Series.

Through art, the popes over the centuries have communicated and conveyed their spiritual mission. 

St. John Paul II noted that, "even beyond its typically religious expressions, true art has a close affinity with the world of faith, so that, even in situations where culture and the Church are far apart, art remains a kind of bridge to religious experience."

This comment was attributed to a letter written by the pope to artists in 1999.

This new numismatic series begins with the sculpted - the work of extraordinary beauty - the "Pieta", created by 24-year old Michelangelo Buonarroti between 1498-1499. The work was commissioned by French Cardinal Jean de Bilheres, Ambassador of Charles VII to the court of Pope Alexander VI, and destined to the chapel of St. Petronilla, where it was meant to be the cardinal's funerary monument.

The Reverse of the 10 Euro Copper coin placed against a background of Michelangelo's sculpture of the "Pieta"

 Here art and faith unite, reaching an expressive and emotional force of rare fusion/intensity, without affecting in any way the delicacy and gentleness of the composition, which remains one of the most admired works ever.

The Coin:

The Coins have been minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome, on behalf of the treasury of the Holy See.

On the Reverse of the 10 Euro Copper Coin is depicted the famous work of art of the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the cricifixion. The sculpture was crafted out of Carrara marble and is the only piece that Michelangelo ever signed.

On the upper periphery is inscribed - "CITTA DEL VATICANO" (meaning "Vatican City State") and on the lower periphery is the denomination of the coin - "10 EURO".

On the Obverse of the 10 Euro Copper Coin is seen the crest of Pope Francis depicting the papal mitre and crossed keys. 

The inscription - FRANCISCUS PP ANNO DOMINI MMXX" (meaning "Pope Francis, in the year 2020 AD") is seen on the upper periphery and MISERANDO ATQUE ELIGENDO" the Latin motto of Pope Francis (meaning "by having mercy, by choosing him") is seen on the lower periphery.

The specifications of this Copper Coin are:

Coin Series Name: "Art and Faith"; Denomination:10 Euro; Metal Composition: Copper: Weight: 15.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 32.0 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Minted by: Istituto Poligraphico e Zecca Dello Stato (IPZS), Italy, at their facilities in Rome; Maximum Mintage: 43,000 pieces; Designer: Chiara Principe; Year: 2020.

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

7) Michelangelo's "Pieta", Vatican City: New Copper Coin Series titled "Art and Faithy": A 10 Euro Copper Coin minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of the "Ufficio Filatelico e Numismatico Governatorato della Cotta del Vaticano": Coin issue date: 05.03.2020

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)