Somalia's relationship with Pope John Paul II coinage is purely commercial — these were struck by a European mint for the collector market, with Somalia's nominal issuing authority serving as little more than a legal convenience. The country had no functioning central government in 2005, making the "issuing authority" essentially a licensing arrangement.
John Paul II died on April 2, 2005, generating an immediate wave of commemorative coinage globally. This piece was almost certainly produced and distributed within months of his death.
Somalia's relationship with Pope John Paul II coinage is purely commercial — these were struck by a European mint for the collector market, with Somalia's nominal issuing authority serving as little more than a legal convenience. The country had no functioning central government in 2005, making the "issuing authority" essentially a licensing arrangement.
John Paul II died on April 2, 2005, generating an immediate wave of commemorative coinage globally. This piece was almost certainly produced and distributed within months of his death.