Vatican City 2008-R 20 euro
This specimen was lot 2928 in Sincona sale 80 (Zürich, October 2022), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALY | Vatican - Church State, Benedikt XVI. 2005-2013. 20 Euro 2008 / Anno IV R, Roma. Meisterwerke der Vatikanstadt. Auf die Statue Torso del Belvedere. Nur 2'930 Exemplare geprägt. Polierte Platte. Im Originaletui mit Zertifikat. (Italy, Vatican City, Benedict XVI, 2005-13, twenty euro of 2008, Rome mint, master works of the Vatican, the torso of Belvedere. Only 2,930 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 master works in the Vatican collection, in this case the torso of Belvedere. While coins up to two euro are legal tender throughout Europe, larger coins are valid only in their country of issue.
Recorded mintage: 2,930 proofs.
Specification: 6.00 g, 0.917 fine gold, 21 mm diameter. This specimen is 6.00 g.
Catalog reference: KM 408. Fr-452.
- 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.
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