Vatican · 1950 years since the martyrdom of Peter and Paul

Issue date1 Jun 2017

Total mintage98,000

EU maximum105,000

Editions3

Edge lettering2 ★ × 6, alternately upright/inverted

InscriptionCITTA DEL VATICANO / 1950o DEL MARTIRIO DEI SANTI PIETRO E PAOLO / 2017 / R / G. TITOTTO

DesignerGabriella Titotto (Claudia Momoni)

mintInstituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato, Roma

Issue occasion

The coin commemorates the 1950th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul. The design shows both saints with their respective symbols, Peter with the keys and Paul with the sword. The inscriptions “CITTA DEL VATICANO” and “1950o DEL MARTIRIO DEI SANTI PIETRO E PAOLO” appear in a semicircle.

The design

In the inner part of the coin, Saints Peter and Paul are depicted with their respective symbols, the keys and the sword. The inscription “CITTA DEL VATICANO” runs semicircularly along the upper edge. The inscription “1950o DEL MARTIRIO DEI SANTI PIETRO E PAOLO” runs semicircularly along the lower edge. The year of issue “2017” is located at the bottom left and the mint mark “R” at the bottom right. The artist’s name “G. TITOTTO” is positioned between them.

The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer coin ring.

Background on the topic

Peter and Paul belonged to the first generation of Christianity and are closely associated with Rome in church tradition. Peter, originally a fisherman from Galilee, was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. The Gospels portray him as the spokesman of the circle of disciples. His confession of Jesus as the Christ later became one of the foundations of the teaching on Peter’s special mission. The Roman Catholic Church regards the Pope as his successor in the episcopal office of Rome.

Paul, initially known by the name Saul, came from Tarsus and was of Jewish origin as well as a Roman citizen. After persecuting the early Christian community, he himself became a missionary following a conversion experience. On several journeys, he founded and supported communities, particularly in the eastern Mediterranean region. His letters preserved in the New Testament address questions of faith and problems faced by the early communities. Because of his work among non-Jewish populations, he is referred to as the “Apostle of the Nations”.

The New Testament does not directly report the deaths of the two apostles. According to early Christian tradition, however, they died in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero. Peter is said to have been crucified, while Paul, as a Roman citizen, is said to have been beheaded. The exact years and circumstances cannot be established with historical certainty; their deaths are often placed in the period of the Neronian persecution of Christians following the fire of Rome in the year 64. The 2017 jubilee commemoration is based on the traditional dating to the year 67.

Both are liturgically celebrated together on 29 June. St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls were built over the sites venerated as their burial places. The anniversary was therefore fitting for Vatican City State, as Peter is associated with the papacy and both apostles with the origins of the Church of Rome.