2 Euro 2006, 500 Years of the Swiss Guard Protecting the Pope [Vatican]

About the object

Country: Vatican
Shape: Round
Weight: 8.5 g
Name: 500 Years of the Swiss Guard Protecting the Pope
Metal: Nickel Silver
Bimetal: Center - nickel plated with nickel brass. Ring - copper-nickel alloy
Designation: Cu-Ni-Zn
Plating: Nickel
Denomination: 2 Euro
Currency Unit: Euro
Orientation: Medal alignment
Summary: KM# 394
Diameter: 25.75 mm

Reverse

In the central part, a large numeral 2 on the left, with the English inscription 'EURO' to its right, translating to '2 Euro'. Below the letter 'O' is the engraver's mark of Luc Luycx 'LL'. The inscription is placed over the outlines of a map of Europe. From this map, six vertical parallel lines extend upwards and downwards, ending in 12 stars.

Obverse

Around the entire circumference of the outer ring, 12 stars of the European Union are evenly spaced. Along the edge of the inner disc are inscriptions in Italian: on the left 'GUARDIA SVIZZERA', on the right 'PONTIFICIA', translating to 'PONTIFICAL SWISS GUARD'; at the bottom — the name of the issuing state Vatican 'CITTA’ DEL VATICANO'. In the central part — a soldier of the Vatican Guard taking an oath of allegiance on the Vatican flag. To the left of the guardsman is the year of the Swiss Guard's foundation '1506', to the right — the year of the 500th anniversary and the year of issue '2006', below it the letter 'R' — the mint mark of the Rome mint. Above the banner on the left is the artist's mark of Orietta Rossi 'O.ROSSI', on the right — the engraver's mark of Maria Carmela Colaneri 'M.C.C. INC.'.