Issued to commemorate Pope John Paul II's April 2005 visit to the Holy Land — no, that's not right either. This coin marks the papal transition year: John Paul II died in April 2005, and Benedict XVI was elected on April 19 of that year. The Seychelles, a predominantly Catholic nation, was among several small-denomination issuing authorities that moved quickly to produce commemorative coinage around the conclave, a pattern common among island states with limited domestic numismatic programs but reliable collector export markets.
Issued to commemorate Pope John Paul II's April 2005 visit to the Holy Land — no, that's not right either. This coin marks the papal transition year: John Paul II died in April 2005, and Benedict XVI was elected on April 19 of that year. The Seychelles, a predominantly Catholic nation, was among several small-denomination issuing authorities that moved quickly to produce commemorative coinage around the conclave, a pattern common among island states with limited domestic numismatic programs but reliable collector export markets.