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CC 499 2023
Blister pack
Proof
Proof blister
Portugal · World Youth Day Lisbon 2023
Mintage7,500
Issue price€18.00
Issue date19 Jul 2023
PackagingBlister pack
Edge lettering5 Wappenschilde + 7 castles, evenly distributed
Market price€32.90
Issue occasion
The coin commemorates World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, where young people from all over the world came together to meet the Pope. The design shows a pilgrim cross surrounded by human-like figures on a globe, embraced by two welcoming hands, symbolising the inclusive, universal character of the gathering. The design is complemented by the inscriptions “JORNADA MUNDIAL DA JUVENTUDE” and “LISBOA 2023”, as well as the Portuguese coat of arms.
The design
World Youth Day 2023 took place in Lisbon in August. At World Youth Day, young people from all over the world come together for a solemn gathering with the Pope and meet hundreds of thousands of other young people who are committed to the same universal values of peace, unity and fraternity.
The coin design shows a pilgrim cross surrounded by human-like figures of different sizes and forms, placed as if on a globe and embraced below by two hands in an inviting gesture, symbolizing the inclusive and universal character of this gathering. Two inscriptions appear along the upper edge: “JORNADA MUNDIAL DA JUVENTUDE” (Portuguese for World Youth Day) and “LISBOA 2023”. Along the lower edge are the coat of arms of Portugal, the country name “PORTUGAL”, the mint “CASA DA MOEDA” (name of the Portuguese mint), and the name of the designer “JOÃO DUARTE”. The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer ring of the coin.
The coin design shows a pilgrim cross surrounded by human-like figures of different sizes and forms, placed as if on a globe and embraced below by two hands in an inviting gesture, symbolizing the inclusive and universal character of this gathering. Two inscriptions appear along the upper edge: “JORNADA MUNDIAL DA JUVENTUDE” (Portuguese for World Youth Day) and “LISBOA 2023”. Along the lower edge are the coat of arms of Portugal, the country name “PORTUGAL”, the mint “CASA DA MOEDA” (name of the Portuguese mint), and the name of the designer “JOÃO DUARTE”. The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer ring of the coin.
Background on the topic
World Youth Day is an event of the Roman Catholic Church. Its origins date back to major youth gatherings in Rome during the Holy Year 1984 and the International Youth Year 1985. Pope John Paul II subsequently established World Youth Day as a regular event. It is celebrated annually at diocesan level; at intervals of several years, an additional international gathering takes place at changing locations. Previous hosts included Buenos Aires, Paris, Toronto, Cologne (Köln), Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, Krakow (Krakau) and Panama City (Panama-Stadt).
World Youth Day includes a wooden cross, which John Paul II handed over to young people at the end of the Holy Year 1984. Since then, it has been carried through countries and dioceses and accompanies preparations for the international gatherings. A copy of the Marian icon “Salus Populi Romani” was added later. The cross on the coin therefore refers not merely to Christianity in general, but to a specific, enduring symbol of the event series.
The gathering in Portugal was originally scheduled for 2022, but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was held under a sentence from the Gospel of Luke: “Mary arose and went with haste.” The programme included services, catecheses, cultural events, a Way of the Cross and an overnight vigil. Pope Francis stayed in Portugal during this time and also visited the Marian pilgrimage site of Fátima. The central closing events took place on specially prepared grounds on the Tagus (Tejo) between Lisbon (Lissabon) and Loures.
For Portugal, the gathering was an internationally recognised major ecclesiastical event and also the first World Youth Day in the country. The issue of a commemorative coin therefore referred to Portugal’s role as host. As the coin was issued shortly before the event began, it also became a contemporary memento of the gathering.
World Youth Day includes a wooden cross, which John Paul II handed over to young people at the end of the Holy Year 1984. Since then, it has been carried through countries and dioceses and accompanies preparations for the international gatherings. A copy of the Marian icon “Salus Populi Romani” was added later. The cross on the coin therefore refers not merely to Christianity in general, but to a specific, enduring symbol of the event series.
The gathering in Portugal was originally scheduled for 2022, but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was held under a sentence from the Gospel of Luke: “Mary arose and went with haste.” The programme included services, catecheses, cultural events, a Way of the Cross and an overnight vigil. Pope Francis stayed in Portugal during this time and also visited the Marian pilgrimage site of Fátima. The central closing events took place on specially prepared grounds on the Tagus (Tejo) between Lisbon (Lissabon) and Loures.
For Portugal, the gathering was an internationally recognised major ecclesiastical event and also the first World Youth Day in the country. The issue of a commemorative coin therefore referred to Portugal’s role as host. As the coin was issued shortly before the event began, it also became a contemporary memento of the gathering.