Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 50 Lire 1994, KM# 254, Vatican City, Pope John Paul II
  • 50 Lire 1994, KM# 254, 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.

Engravers: Angelo Canevari and Eugenio Driutti

Obverse

Depicts a portrait of Pope John Paul II, surrounded by the inscription "Ioannes Paulus II pontifex maximus annum XVI MCMXCIV" (John Paul II, supreme pontiff, regnal year 16, 1994), the engravers' names below.

IOANNES PAVLVS II P.M A XVI MCMXCIV
A. CANEVARI
DRIUTTI INC.

Reverse

Depicts hands reaching through bars, the state name above.

CITTA' DEL VATICANO
L.50
R

Edge
Characteristics
Material Stainless Steel
Weight 2.7 g
Diameter 16.3 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute (IPZS)

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