1529) 50th Anniversary of World Earth Day, Vatican City: A 10 Euro silver Coin issued by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zacca dello Stato Roma" on behalf of: "Ufficio Filatelico e Numismatico Vaticano". Date of Coin issue: 16.10.2020:

1529) 50th Anniversary of  World Earth Day, Vatican City: A 10 Euro silver Coin issued by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zacca dello Stato Roma" on behalf of: "Ufficio Filatelico e Numismatico Vaticano". Date of Coin issue: 16.10.2020:

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

The three Banners on top depict various themes associated with the Earth Day - "Earth Day 2020 theme - Climate Change", "Plant a Tree to keep the Earth vibrant and Green",  and the "logo of the 50th Earth Day 2020".

The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 and now includes events coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network in more than 193 recognised countries of the UNO.

In 1969, at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco - peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honour the Earth and the concept of peace, to first be celebrated on 21.03.1970 - the first day of spring in the Northern hemisphere.

This day of Nature's equipose was sanctioned by the UN. Later, it was proposed to hold a nation-wide environmental teach-in on 22.04.1970 and the day was renamed as "Earth Day".

On Earth Day 2016, the landmark "Paris Agreement" was signed in which 123 countries ratified the historic draft Climate Protection Treaty adopted by concensus of the 195 nations present at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.

Numerous communities celebrate Earth Day Week - an entire week of activities focussed on environmental issues that the world faces.

The Commemorative Coin Concept:

This new coin issued by the Vatican City State on  16.10.2020, on the 50th Anniversary of World Earth Day depicts a woman (mother) carrying the Earth in her womb.

The image on the coin has been compared to carved wooden figures of a pregnant woman that were on display in churches and at events during the Vatican's 2019 Synod of Bishops on the Amazon.

Those figures referred to by Pope Francis and others as "Pachamama" depicted an Andean fertility goddess and represented symbols of "life".

The theme was conceived as representing a "universal woman" and the design was meant to give a message that care of the Earth is loving like the care of a mother for her child. 

The Coin:

The Obverse of the 10 Euro Silver Proof Coin depicts the Coat of Arms of Pope Francis. 

Along the periphery is the inscription - "FRANCISCVS PP - ANNO VIII MMXX".

The Reverse of the 10 Euro Silver Proof Coin depicts a mother carrying the Earth in her womb, to whom we owe care and love as if it were a daughter, with long ears of wheat in her hair, in a reference between past and future that becomes tireless, and therefore eternal.

The peripheral inscriptions on the right are - "CITTA DEL VATICANO 10 EURO".

The specifications of this Silver Proof coin are:

Title/Theme: 50th Anniversary of World Earth Day; Country: Vatican City State; Denomination: 10 Euro; Year of issue: 2020; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 22.0 grams; Shape: Round; Edge: Plain; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Istituto Poligrafico e Zacca dello Stato Roma; On behalf of: Ufficio Filatelico e Numismatico Vaticano; Mintage: 3,300 pieces; Mint Mark: "R"; Designer: Oldani Luigi; Engraver: Pernazzo Uliana.

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

8) Ancient Postal Routes, Vatican City State: EUROPA 2020 Theme: Two stamps of 1.10 Euro and 1.15 Euro issued by the Ufficio filatelico e Numismatico -Governatorato, Vaticano featuring ancient postal routes emanating from the Vatican City State during the 6th & 11th Centuries AD