Vatican to issue collector coin marking Pope Francis' first year

Vatican City, Oct 7, 2013 / 07:03 am

The Vatican has announced that an official, commemorative coin marking the first year of Pope Francis' pontificate will be released on Oct. 8.

Collectors will be able to purchase the coin which on one side bears the image of Pope Francis giving a blessing and smiling with the Latin words, "Franciscus Pont. Max An. I.," inscribed above.

The coin's other side contains the Holy Father's personal motto, "vidit ergo Jesus publicanum et quia miserando atque eligendo vidit, ait illi: 'sequere me,'" which translates to "Jesus therefore sees the tax collector, and since he sees by having mercy and by choosing, he says to him, 'follow me.'"

Near the text, this side of the coin visually depicts the Gospel scene from the book of Matthew, when Jesus first calls the disciple to follow him.

According to Vatican Radio, this passage is especially meaningful to Pope Francis, who on Saint Matthew's feast day in 1953, at the age of 17, felt called to enter religious life after experiencing the presence of God's love.

Designed by Mariangela Crisciotti, the coin is produced by the State Mint and Polygraphic Institute and will be available in gold, silver, and bronze.

Each coin will be stamped with the seal of the Secretary of State and of the Italian Mint, and will come with a certificate of authenticity.