3891) Did You Know Series (103): Between One Pope and the Next
– the Sede Vacante (meaning “Vacant Seat”) Coins are issued:
Sede Vacante coins mark the rare periods between papal
reigns with unique numismatic history:
Collectors of world coins are aware that when a monarch
passes away, the design of the coins of that nation usually changes the very
next year.
The recent example of which most of us are aware is the
passing of Queen Elizabeth and the ascension of King Charles to the throne of
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The queen’s effigy appeared on the coins of the United
Kingdom (UK) through 2022, and the new king took the spot in 2023. But there is one nation, albeit a tiny one,
for which the death of the man on the coins means his face is immediately
removed – the Vatican.
Vatican City is the smallest nation, with an area of 109
acres, all surrounded by the city of Rome. This tiny nation represents the last
territory of what was once called the Papal States, which used to be a
formidable area in the center of Italy up until 1870. For quite a long time,
the Vatican issued lire coins that were in lockstep with those of Italy. After
the switch to Euros, the Vatican changed, again keeping in stride with Italy.
Curiously, when a pontiff passes away, as Pope Francis
did on Easter Monday, April 21, the
Vatican changes its coinage to the Sede Vacante pieces.
The term is Latin for “Vacant Seat.” The
image, which shows the prominent symbols of the pope, such as the keys of Saint
Peter, but not any face, remains on the coins until the world has another pope.
That means the Sede Vacante coins are issued when the
Papal Conclave has been called, the discussions have been presented, the votes
have been cast, the white smoke has been seen coming from the chimney of the
Sistine Chapel, and finally, the senior cardinal proclaims, “Habemus
Papam” – the Latin for, “We have a Pope” – from the
balcony of the Basilica of Saint Peter.
How many and for how long Sede Vacante coins are made?
This depends on how long it takes to get to the end of
the discussions and the votes and get to a new successor to the keys of St.
Peter (considered by Catholics to be the first pope). Before 1939, when Pope
Pius XI passed away, the Papal Conclave took longer to convene since the
College of Cardinals could not travel by air.
Since then, each Conclave has assembled somewhat faster
since Cardinals can hop a flight to Rome to attend, just as we could if we ever
got invited. For example, the Sede Vacante coins of 1958 saw mintages that were
not too large. When Pope John XXIII was elected in 1958, the Conclave only
lasted three days, hence the low numbers.
For collectors who want to see just how many different
Sede Vacante coins they might assemble or even get a sample of, those issued
for Pope John Paul II's death are rather special simply because they are not
Lire coins—they are Euros. This was definitely a new chapter in a very old
ritual.
How often are they made?
Coins of Vatican City are minted constantly, and indeed,
aficionados of world coins are aware that the Vatican has an impressive
production of commemorative coins as well, one that has numerous different
themes to it. But these are either regular or commemorative issues, not Sede
Vacante issues. No, the Sede Vacante coins only come out after the Pope has
passed and before a new one is installed.
This means only a handful of them were issued in the
twentieth century and even fewer in the twenty-first. And none have been issued with more than one
year on them.
Which year saw two sets of Sede Vacante
coins?
In one of the stranger twists of fate, the year 1978
stands as unique in the history of the Vatican in that it is the only year in
centuries during which a pope passed away and another was elected twice. Pope Paul VI passed in June of that year, and
a non-circulating 500 Lire piece was issued that was 0.835 silver.
Pope John Paul I emerged as the new Pope but also passed
away in September of that year. The end
result is that there are two different pieces, each a 500 Lire coin, each with
the year on them in the Roman lettering – MCMLXXVIII – something of a lengthy
way to write the year of issue.
The Sede Vacante coins are seldom at the center of a
collector’s radar. That’s probably a
good thing, as it means we are not losing popes quickly or routinely. But these special issues can form a
fascinating collection for the person willing to step out of their comfort zone
to see what they can find and look closely at the coins of the world’s smallest
nation.
The Twelve Apostles Coin Series:
1) "The Twelve Apostles", Vatican City: The Twelve Apostles Coin Series: The first Silver Coins of 5- and 10-Euro minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of "Coommercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica" (CFN) feature St. Peter & St. Andrew: Date of Coins issued: 10.11.2022
2) St.Andrew, Vatican Mint: A 10 Euro 22-gm Silver Proof Coin: The second Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2022
3) St. Peter and the Rooster star on latest Vatican 20 Euro coin issued by the CFN (Commercialzzone Filatelica E Numasmatica - Vatican City): "Art and Faith Coin Series: Year of Coin issue: 2024
4) St. Bartholomew, Vatican Mint: A 10 Euro 22 gm Silver Proof Coin: The Sixth Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2024
5) St. John, Vatican Mint: A 5 Euro 22-gm Silver Proof Coin: The Third Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2023
6) St. James the Greater, Vatican Mint: A 10 Euro 22-gm Silver Proof Coin: The Fourth Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2023
7) Saint Philip, Vatican Mint: A 5 Euro 22-gm Silver Prfoof Coin: The Fifth Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Dare/Year of Coin issue: 2024
For some other interesting posts from Italy/The Vatican, please visit the following links:
The Fountains of Italy Coin Series:
Other Links:
35) St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican (San Pietro in Vaticano), Republic of Palau: "Tiffany Art Metropolis Coin Series - San Pietro": Coin Invest Trust (CIT) has coordinated the issue of $500 (Gold) and $25 (Silver Coins minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt GmbH at their facilities in Munich: Year of Coin issue: 2022
36) "The Twelve Apostles", Vatican City: The Twelve Apostles Coin Series: The first Silver Coins of 5- and 10-Euro minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of "Coommercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica" (CFN) feature St. Peter & St. Andrew: Date of Coins issued: 10.11.2022
37) "Towards the Holy Year 2025", Vatican City: A 200 Euro Gold Coin issued by the Commercializzazone Filatelica e Numismatica (CFN) to commemorate the three-year programme (2022-2023-2024) culminting in 2025: Date/Year of Coin issue: 19.12.2022
38) "Bergamo and Brescia", Italy: Five Euro Commemorative Copper Coins issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) showcases the designated Italian Cultural Capital Cities: Date/Year of Coin issue: 20.02.2023
39) Luigi Vanvitelli (12.05.1700-01.03.1773), Architect and Painter, Italy: 250th Anniversary of his passing away: Five Euro (Silver) and Twenty Euro (Gold) Coins issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) commemorate this celebrated Baroque Era Architect: Date/Year of Coin issue: 21.02.2023
40) "The Lateran Pacts between the Italian State and the Holy See", Vatican City State: 90th Anniversary Celebrations (1929-2019): The Ufficio Filetelco E. Numismatico (Office of the Philatelic and Numismatic Bureau of the Vatican) has issued an embroidered postage stamp of 8.40 Euro depicting the Coat of Arms of the Vatican City State: Date/Year of Stamp issue: 2019 (Reissued on 12.12.2022)
41) Environmental Protection as enshrined in the Italian Constitution, Italy: A Square-shaped bi-metallic Silver and Copper 5 Euro Coin brought out by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) highlights environmental protection in the Italian constitution: Date of Coin issue: 27.04.2023
42) "The Resurrection of Christ" ("CHRISTVS RESVRREXIT"), Vatican City State: Rectangular-shaped Silver Proof and Colour Coins feature Renaissance painter Pietro Vannucci's (also known as "Perugino") masterpiece, presently in the Apostolic Palace Library: Date/Year of Coin issue: 04/2023
43) The Second Vatican Council - Nostra Aetate (In Our Time), Vatican City State: A 100 Euro Gold Coin minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome on behalf of the Treasury Department of the Vatican City State: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023
44) The history of the Olympics in Italy - TRiTTICO Cortina 1956, Rome 1960, Turin 2006, Republic of Italy (Repubblica Italiana): Three 20 Euro Gold Coins issued by the Istututo Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) celebrate the selection of 2026 Winter Olympics in the City of Cortino Italy: Date/Year of Coin issue: 07.09.2023
45) A Euro Coin Set - 2018, Vatican City State: An eight (8) Coin Set issued by the Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica on Euro Coins: Coins minted by the IPZS Italy on behalf of the "Stato Della Citta Del Vaticano" (The Vatican City State") in 2018
46) Remembrance to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Vatican City: Coins issued by Commercializzazione Filetelica e Numismatica on 10 Euro Silver Coins: Coins minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) Italy on behalf of the "Stato Della Citta Del Vaticano" ("The Vatican City State"): Date of Coin issue: 26.10.2023
47) The Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome on behalf of the Treasury Department of the Vatican City State has issued the first of two commemorative 10 Euro coins which mark 2025 and the Holy Year Pilgrims of Hope: Date/Year of Coins issue: 12/2023
48) Pesaro, Italy: The Italian City designatied as the 2024 European Capital of Culture (ECOC):Date of Coin issue: 26.01,2024
49) Around the World Voyage of the Amerigo Vespucci, Italy's oldest Naval Vessel: A 5 Euro Silv er Proof & Colour Coin presents the voyage of the v essel: Date of Coin issue: 08.03.2024
50) St. Peter and the Rooster star on latest Vatican 20 Euro coin issued by the CFN (Commercialzzone Filatelica E Numasmatica - Vatican City: "Art and Faith Coin Series: Year of Coin issue: 2024;
51) Pope Francis Coin Card, Vatican City: A 1 Euro Base Metal Coin: The Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica " (CFN) has issued a 1 Euro Copper Coin minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zella dello State (or State Mint and Polygraphic Institute - IPZS), Italy: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2024
52) The Vatican Coin Set: The "Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica" (CFN) has issued an eight (8) Copper-Nickel (CuNi) Coin Set minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato ("State Mint and Poligraphic Institute - IPZS"), Italy: Date/Year of Coin set issue: 2024
53) Concordat between the Holy See and the Republic of Poland, Poland: Rectangular Silver Proof Coins Mark the 100th Anniversary of the conclusion of the Concordat (1925-2025): Date/Year of Coin issue: 06.02.2025
54) Did You Know Series (103): Between One Pope and the Next - the Sede Vacante (meaning "Vacant Seat:) Coins are issued:
Links to Posts on Marco Polo on this Blog:
1) 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)
2) Marco Polo (1254-1324), Venetian Traveller, Italy: The royal Dutch Mint (RDM) has brought out this special Silver strike of a Gold florin: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2024
Posts on the Ryder Cup on this Blog:
i) The 2014 Ryder Cup Commemorative Banknote: Commemorating the Ryder Cup, Europe with a 5 Pound Sterling Banknote issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland
ii) The 44th Ryder Cup held in Italy: 10 Euro Silver Coins with applied colour and concave centre brought out by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) marks the conduct of the prestigious Ryder Cup in Italy for the first time: Date of Coin issue: 18.09.2023
Italian Excellence Coin Series:
Rajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very informative."
Thank you Trikha sahab.
DeleteRaj Kumar Srivastava has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very informative."
Thanks Raj.
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