Vatican City 2005-R 20 euro
This specimen was lot 2922 in Sincona sale 80 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 300 CHF (about US$360 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALY | Vatican - Church State, Benedikt XVI. 2005-2013. 20 Euro 2005 / Anno I R, Roma. Auf das Sakrament der Taufe. Nur 3'046 Exemplare geprägt. Polierte Platte. Im Originaletui mit Zertifikat. (Italy, Vatican City, Benedict XVI, 2005-13, twenty euro of 2005, Rome mint, on the sacrament of baptism. Only 3,046 pieces struck, Choice Proof, In original box with certificate.)"
Coinage for the Vatican City began in 1929, struck at the Rome mint. Coins are issued for the Vatican City in symbolic amounts but as they are eagerly saved as souvenirs by tourists, they are not in short supply for collectors. This twenty euro commemorative is one of a series of gold issues struck for pope Benedict 2005-13 honoring the Catholic sacraments, in this case baptism. While coins up to two euro are legal tender throughout Europe, larger coins are valid only in their country of issue.
Recorded mintage: 3,046 proofs.
Specification: 6.00 g, 0.917 fine gold, 21 mm diameter. This specimen is 6.00 g.
Catalog reference: KM 392. Fr-445.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Gigante, Fabio, Gigante 2016: Catalogo Nazionale delle Monete Italiano Dal '700 All'Euro, 24a ed. Varese, Italy, 2015.
- Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 2014.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 2001-Date, 13th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2018.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 80, World Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, World Banknotes, Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
Links to:
- 2004-R 20 euro, David slaying Goliath
- 2004-R 50 euro, judgement of Solomon
- 2005-R 50 euro, St. John baptising Christ
- 2006-R 20 euro, on the sacrament of confirmation
- 2006-R 50 euro, the Apostles receiving the Holy Spirit
- 2007-R 20 euro, on the sacrament of the Eucharist
- Coins and currency dated 2005