The accolade was bestowed upon the 2024 50-euro gold coin, issued by the Vatican Governorate, themed “War and Peace.”
Newsroom (17/09/2025, Gaudium Press) Vatican City has secured a historic victory, winning the prestigious Best Gold Coin award at the international Coin of the Year (COTY) competition for the first time. The accolade was bestowed upon the 2024 50-euro gold coin, issued by the Vatican Governorate, themed “War and Peace.” This triumph marks a significant milestone for the city-state’s numismatic legacy.
Crafted by Chiara Principe, a talented young artist from Rome, the coin showcases her signature artistry, honed through years of designing for the Vatican’s numismatic collections. The obverse bears the inscriptions ANNO XII CP FRANCISCVS PP and IHS MISERANDO ATQUE ELIGENDO MMXXIV, reflecting papal and spiritual significance. The reverse presents a poignant dichotomy: an olive branch alongside an adult and a young girl holding a flower, symbolizing hope, contrasted with barbed wire, a man wielding an automatic rifle, and a column of smoke evoking war’s devastation. The inscriptions Città del Vaticano and 50 euro complete the design.
The award was presented on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center during the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money, the third time the COTY ceremony has coincided with this renowned event. The competition saw fierce global participation, with 550 coins submitted from mints worldwide. In May, the COTY Selection Committee meticulously narrowed the field to 100 coins across ten thematic categories, setting the stage for an exacting final evaluation.
The judging process, involving over 100 expert jurors from diverse numismatic backgrounds, was highly competitive, with several coins vying for the top honor until the final moments. Ultimately, ten coins were recognized for their exceptional artistry and innovation, with Vatican City’s 50-euro gold coin earning the coveted Best Gold Coin title.
This victory underscores the Vatican’s growing prominence in the numismatic world, blending profound symbolism with exquisite craftsmanship in a design that resonates globally.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from vaticanstate.va
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