2 Euro 2009, International Year of Astronomy [Vatican]

Coins-Europe

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 these outlines, six vertical parallel lines extend upwards and downwards, ending in 12 stars.
Obverse
Around the circumference of the outer ring, 12 stars of the European Union are evenly placed. Along the edge of the inner disc, the issuing state's name, Vatican City, is inscribed in Italian 'CITTA’ DEL VATICANO' in two lines at the top right. The inscription 'ANNO INTERNAZIONALE DELL’ ASTRONOMIA', translating from Italian as 'INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY', is placed on the left and bottom. The central part depicts an astrolabe, containing: Galileo's telescope, a fragment of Michelangelo's fresco 'The Creation of the Sun, Moon, and Planets', a reflecting telescope. The letter 'R' – the mintmark of the Rome Mint – is inscribed at the bottom left. Below the lower left quadrant of the astrolabe is the engraver's mark of Maria Carmela Colaneri 'M.C.C. INC.', and below the lower right is the artist's mark of Orietta Rossi 'O.ROSSI'. The year of issue '2009' is indicated at the bottom between the stars, the Moon, and the Sun.