Vatican City’s coinage is a blend of history, faith, and European integration. Before adopting the euro, Vatican City used its own lira, which was tied to the Italian lira through a monetary agreement. Coins issued during this period often featured religious imagery, including depictions of popes, saints, and symbols of Catholicism, reflecting the spiritual significance of the Vatican.
Since 2002, Vatican City has used the euro as part of an agreement with the European Union, issuing its own euro coins with unique designs. The current coins in circulation include denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, as well as 1 and 2 euros. These coins typically feature the current pope’s portrait, the Vatican coat of arms, and the European Union stars. Vatican euro coins are made from standard euro-zone materials, such as copper-plated steel and bi-metallic alloys, ensuring consistency with other euro coins.
