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2 Euros - Benedictus XVI 20th World Youth Day
| Issuer | Vatican City State |
|---|---|
| Year | 2005 |
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| Thickness | 2.2 mm |
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| Obverse description | The inner disc features a detailed rendering of Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), the Gothic landmark that served as the venue for the 20th World Youth Day in 2005, depicted in three-quarter view with its twin spires rising prominently into the upper field. A stylised star or compass rose appears to the left of the cathedral in the open field. The curved legend XX GIORNATA MONDIALE DELLA GIOVENTÙ arcs across the upper portion of the inner disc, with CITTÀ DEL VATICANO inscribed along the lower arc of the outer copper-nickel ring. Twelve stars of the European Union encircle the design in the outer ring, with the date 2005 and mint mark R positioned at the top between the stars. |
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| Reverse script | Latin |
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| Additional information |
Issued in the first year of Benedict XVI's pontificate, this coin commemorates World Youth Day 2005, held in Cologne in August — an event that carried particular weight as the first major gathering following the death of John Paul II in April of that year. Benedict, a German-born pope returning to his home country for the occasion, drew an estimated one million pilgrims to the final Mass at Marienfeld.
Vatican commemorative 2-euro pieces from this period were struck in very limited quantities for collector sets and saw virtually no circulation, making genuine worn examples essentially nonexistent.