Vatican City Currency and Coin History

Vatican City Currency and Coin History is a fascinating topic. Vatican City has its own unique currency, the Vatican lira, which was introduced in 1929.

The Vatican lira was pegged to the Italian lira at a rate of 1:1. It was used until 2002, when the euro replaced it.

The Vatican lira was the official currency of Vatican City, but it was not widely used outside of the city-state.

Check this out: Turkey Currency Lira to Inr

The Vatican City established its own currency in 1929, with the Lateran Treaty creating the State of the Vatican City and allowing it to produce its own distinct coinage.

The first coins minted in 1929 were denominated in centesimi and lire, similar to the Italian lira, and were made of copper, nickel, and silver.

These coins included 5 and 10 centesimi made of copper, 20 and 50 centesimi made of nickel, and 5 and 10 lire made of silver.

For your interest: America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins

The Vatican revamped its coinage after World War II, introducing 1, 2, 5, and 10 lire coins made of aluminum.

In 2000, a contract was signed between Italy and the Vatican City, allowing Vatican City to use the euro as its official currency.

The Vatican Euro coins are designed by the Philatelic and Numismatic Office of the Vatican City and minted by Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), Rome.

The first series of 1 cent, 10 cents, and 1 Euro coins featured an image of Pope John Paul II, while the second series issued in 2005 had images of the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Church and the Insignia of the Apostolic Chamber.

The third series issued in 2013 had an image of Pope Benedict XVI, and the fourth series had an image of Pope Francis.

In 2017, the fifth series of coins were issued, which have the images of the European Union Stars and the Coat of Arms of Pope Francis.

The Vatican issues coins every year to its exclusive set of clients, and they are not sold through the Vatican's website but only through a curated list of larger coin dealers.

The majority of coins produced by the Vatican are issued in mint or proof sets, but some are released into general circulation.

Prices for Vatican coins vary, and American collectors must pay a premium because it's difficult to become a client coin dealer for the Vatican.

For another approach, see: Does Canada Have Its Own Currency

The Vatican City started producing its own distinct coinage in 1929, as per the Lateran Treaty.

These coins were denominated in centesimi and lire, similar to the Italian lira.

The first coins minted were 5 and 10 centesimi made of copper, 20 and 50 centesimi made of nickel, and 5 and 10 lire made of silver.

Copper coins were replaced with aluminum bronze ones in 1939.

Nickel coins were replaced with stainless steel ones in 1940.

During the war years of 1941-1943, very few Vatican coins were produced.

The Vatican revamped its coinage after the war and introduced 1, 2, 5, and 10 lire coins made of aluminum.

The Vatican discontinued lire coins and started minting Vatican euros after the countries of Europe switched to the euro standard currency.

Additional reading: World War 2 Victory Bonds

The Vatican City was established in 1929 with its own modern currency, thanks to the Lateran Treaty.

This treaty created the State of the Vatican City, making it the smallest sovereign state in the world, located within the boundaries of the City of Rome.

The Vatican began producing its own distinct coinage, with coins minted in Rome that were legal tender in the Vatican, Italy, and San Marino.

These early coins were denominated in centesimi and lire, similar to the Italian lira, and were made of various metals including copper, nickel, and silver.

The 1929 coins included 5 and 10 centesimi made of copper, 20 and 50 centesimi made of nickel, and 5 and 10 lire made of silver.

In 1939, the copper coins were replaced with aluminum bronze ones, and in 1940, the nickel ones were replaced with stainless steel.

A fresh viewpoint: 5 Reais