vatican 2 Euro Coin

	2004	Feature: 75th anniversary of the founding of the Vatican City State Description: The inner part shows a schematic representation of the perimeter walls of the Vatican City with St Peter's Basilica in the foreground. Also in the inner part are the inscriptions ‘75 ^o ANNO DELLO STATO' and ‘1929-2004' as well as, in smaller letters, the name of the designer ‘VEROI' and the initials of the engraver ‘L.D.S. INC.'. The outer part of the coin features the twelve stars of the European Union and the inscription ‘CITTA' DEL VATICANO'. Issuing volume: max. 100,000 coins Issuing date: 15 December 2004
	2005	Feature: 20th World Youth Day held in Cologne in August 2005 Description: Depicted in the centre of the coin is the Cathedral of Cologne with a comet passing by above. The words ‘XX GIORNATA MONDIALE DELLA GIOVENTÙ’ are inscribed along the upper edge of the central part, separated by the tail of the comet and two of the cathedral’s spires, one of which extends into the coin’s outer ring. Twelve stars are depicted in a semicircle along the upper part of the outer ring, separated at the top by the year of issue (2005) and the mintmark ‘R’. Below the central image of the cathedral, the words ‘CITTÀ DEL VATICANO’ form a semicircle in the outer ring. Issuing volume: 100,000 coins Issuing date: December 2005
	2006	Feature: 5th Centenary of the Swiss Pontifical Guard Description: The coin features a Swiss guard taking an oath of loyalty to the Pope. The inscription ‘GUARDIA SVIZZERA PONTIFICIA’ forms a semi-circle around the guard, while under the flag appears the name of the issuing state, ‘CITTÀ DEL VATICANO’. ‘1506’ appears on the left side, above the signature of the engraver ‘O. ROSSI’ along the flagpole. ‘2006’ appears on the right side, above the mint mark ‘R’. The 12 stars of the European Union are depicted on the outer ring. Issuing volume: max. 100,000 coins Issuing date: November 2006
	2007	Feature: 80th birthday of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Description: The inner part of the coin features the profile of His Holiness Benedict XVI facing the left. The legend ‘BENEDICTI XVI P.M. AETATIS ANNO LXXX CITTA' DEL VATICANO’ is engraved along the outer edge of the inner part of the coin. To the left of the effigy are the mintmark, ‘R’, the year of issue, ‘2007’, and the initials of the engraver, ‘M.C.C. INC.’, while the artist’s name, ‘LONGO’, is inscribed on the right. The outer ring of the coin bears the 12 stars of the European Union. Issuing volume: 100,000 coins Issuing date: September-October 2007