Obverse. Photo © Stack's Bowers Galleries
  • 20 Francs 2005, Fr# 27, Congo, Democratic Republic, In Memoriam Pope John Paul II
  • 20 Francs 2005, Fr# 27, Congo, Democratic Republic, In Memoriam Pope John Paul II
Description

Pope Saint John Paul II, born Karol Józef Wojtyła (1920–2005), served as Pope from 1978 to 2005. He was one of the most travelled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. As part of his special emphasis on the universal call to holiness, he beatified 1,340 people and canonised 483 saints, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the preceding five centuries. He was the second longest-serving pope in modern history after Pope Pius IX, who served for nearly 32 years.

Obverse

Depicts an official emblem of the Laurent Kabila regime: a mature male lion standing to the left amid the grass, symbolizing strength and authority. Above the lion is the country’s name in French, and the denomination is placed below. Date of the issue appears in the middle.

Kabila’s regime, which began in 1997 after he overthrew Mobutu Sese Seko, was characterized by efforts to rebuild the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) after decades of dictatorship. His government sought to restore national sovereignty, but faced internal conflict and external pressures, particularly during the Second Congo War.

REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO
10 FRANCS
2005

Reverse

Depicts a portrait of Pope John Paul II turned slightly to the right in a prayerful pose, dressed in a cassock and mitre and holding a papal ferula. Surrounding the portrait is an inscription of the occasion in French, with his birth and death dates, and his title vertically on the right side of the ferula in French.

EN MEMOIRE DE KAROL WOJTYLA 18.05.1920 - 02.04.2005
PAPE
JEAN
PAUL II

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.999
Weight 1.244 g
Diameter 13.92 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal

Related coins

In Memoriam Pope John Paul II

Silver, 25 g, ⌀ 38.61 mm

In Memoriam Pope John Paul II

Silver, 25 g, ⌀ 38.61 mm

In Memoriam Pope John Paul II

Acrylic, 39 g, ⌀ 50 mm