Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 20 Euro Cent 2002-2005, KM# 347, Vatican City, Pope John Paul II
  • 20 Euro Cent 2002-2005, KM# 347, Vatican City, 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

The portrait in left profile of His Holiness John Paul II is encircled by the inscription "Vatican City" and the twelve stars of Europe. Date and mint mark (R, Rome) below.

Artist: Guido Veroi (GV)
Engraver: Uliana Pernazza (UP INC.)

CITTA' DEL VATICANO
R
2003
GV ⠂UP INC.

Reverse

A geographical map of Western Europe spans the outer ring and inner core on the left side of the coin.

12 stars are located on the left side of the outer ring, with six stars atop the map of Europe and six stars below it; six vertical stripes cut across the inner core of the coin, visually connecting the upper and lower star segments.

Luc Luycx, a designer at the Royal Belgian Mint, designed the Euro’s common reverse; his initials, LL, are seen on the right side of the design, just under the “0” in “20.”

20
LL
EURO
CENT

Edge
Characteristics
Material Nordic Gold
Weight 5.74 g
Diameter 22.25 mm
Thickness 2.14 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute (IPZS)

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