Vatican

What the category brings together

Here you will find the Vatican coins in lire and in euro in the catalogue. They are also divided by pontificate in the subcategories:

• Paul VI: the annual sets from 1963 to 1978 and the issue for the 1975 Holy Year;
• John Paul I: the 1,000 Lire of 1978;
• John Paul II: the annual sets in lire between 1979 and 2001 and the issue for the 1983 Holy Year;
• Euro: the coin sets and the commemorative 2 euro coins from 2002.

Some pieces do not fall into the subcategories by pontificate: the issues for the Sede Vacante of 1978, which you will also find in the Vatican section of the silver coins, a 20 Centesimi 1935 of Pius XI and a testone of 1802 of Pius VII, of the Papal States. The Vatican gold coins are in the Vatican Gold category.

From the Papal States to the euro

The Vatican City State was founded in 1929 with the Lateran Pacts, during the pontificate of Pius XI (pope from 1922 to 1939). Earlier coins, such as the testone of Pius VII, belong to the Papal States. Until 2001 the Vatican issued coins in lire; since 2002 it has used the euro, like Italy.

How to read the item names

• “Year” followed by a Roman numeral is the year of the pontificate. It is counted from the start of the pontificate, so it does not coincide with the calendar year: for Paul VI, elected in 1963, 1975 is Year XIII.
• “Holy Year” indicates the issues for a Jubilee, such as those of 1975 and 1983.
• “Sede Vacante” indicates the issues of the period between the end of a pontificate and the election of the next pope. In 1978 the see was vacant twice: in August, after the death of Paul VI, and between September and October, after the death of John Paul I.
• A “coin set” (divisionale in Italian) is the annual set of euro coins in everyday use.

Grade and rarity

Almost all the coins are in Uncirculated condition (FDC): never circulated, with no signs of wear. The older pieces have different grades, such as About Uncirculated (qFDC) or Very Fine (BB), that is, light wear with the details clearly legible. For these the item page also gives the rarity, for example “Molto Raro” (very rare) or “Estremamente Raro” (exceedingly rare). Hovering over the code on the item page shows its explanation. In the catalogue you can filter by metal, period, grade, price and rarity.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell what an annual set includes?

The name gives the year, the year of the pontificate and the grade. What each annual set includes can be seen in the photo on the item page; if it is not clear, use the “Ask about this piece” button.

Where can I find the Vatican gold coins?

In the Vatican Gold category, with the 10 and 50 euro gold coins and the 100 Lire of Pius XI.

Can I collect the coins in person?

Yes, free of charge, in Verbania or Milan. Alternatively we ship with insured delivery, at a rate that depends on the order value. Payment is by bank transfer.

Do you buy Vatican coins?

Yes. If you have coins to sell, write to us with a few photos or visit one of our two branches.