San Marino · Holy Year 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope

Issue date27 Mar 2025

Total mintage59,000

EU maximum56,000

Editions2

Edge lettering2 ★ × 6, alternately upright/inverted

InscriptionSAN MARINO / R / DI MAULO / IUBILAEUM 2025 / M.B.INC

DesignerGabriele Di Maulo

mintInstituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato, Roma

Issue occasion

The coin is dedicated to the Holy Year 2025 under the motto “Pilgrims of Hope”. The motif shows a woman with an anchor as a symbol of hope, holding a child by the hand as a symbol of humanity. The depiction is complemented by four square sails, an eight-pointed star, and the inscriptions “SAN MARINO” and “IUBILAEUM 2025”.

The design

The coin’s design depicts a woman in the centre holding an anchor, a symbol of hope, and holding the hand of a child representing humanity. On the left are the inscription “SAN MARINO”, four square sails, the letter “R” as the symbol of the Rome mint, and the initials “DI MAULO” of the coin designer Gabriele Di Maulo. An eight-pointed star is located in the upper right, with the inscription “IUBILAEUM 2025” below it and the initials “M.B.INC” of the engraver Marta Bonifacio at the bottom.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.

Background on the topic

A Holy Year, also called a Jubilee Year, is a special period of conversion, reconciliation and pilgrimage in the Roman Catholic Church. Its historical reference lies in the biblical Year of Jubilee: the Book of Leviticus describes a year recurring at longer intervals in which, among other things, debts were to be cancelled and property relations reorganised. The Catholic tradition transferred this idea to spiritual renewal.

The first Holy Year proclaimed by a pope took place in 1300 under Pope Bonifatius VIII. The intervals between the ordinary Jubilee Years were subsequently changed several times; since the modern era, they have usually been celebrated every 25 years. In addition, popes can proclaim extraordinary Holy Years on specific themes. Established customs include pilgrimages to Rome, religious services, confession and works of mercy. Under the conditions laid down in canon law, the faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence.

Pope Franziskus announced the Jubilee Year with the bull *Spes non confundit*. The title takes up a formulation from the Epistle to the Romans (Römerbrief): “Hope does not disappoint.” He opened the Jubilee Year at Christmas 2024 by opening the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica (Petersdom). Holy Doors are also located at Rome’s other papal major basilicas. Passing through them is connected with the idea of a renewed Christian life.

San Marino’s choice of this occasion can be understood against the background of its Catholic character and its proximity to Rome. The microstate is named after Saint Marinus, who, according to tradition, founded a Christian community on Monte Titano. A papal Jubilee Year also concerns pilgrims from numerous countries and is therefore not only an internal ecclesiastical event, but also an international religious and cultural phenomenon. The coin issue combines this theme with San Marino’s right, based on its monetary agreement with the European Union, to issue its own commemorative euro coins.