100 euro - Declarations of the Second Vatican Council - Gravissimum Educationis

The 100 euro gold coin issued by the Vatican Mint is dedicated this year to the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration “Gravissimum Educationis,” focusing on the fundamental principles of Christian education and promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1965. The Second Vatican Council underscored in the introduction of this document the importance of attending to the education of children, whatever their race, age or social status. The Council Fathers recommended that leaders not deprive young people of the right to education, stressing that parents have an important obligation to educate their children and that Christian education is a right for all the baptized. Artist Luigi Oldani brings these important points to life by featuring on the coin five children of different nationalities holding up the globe. The child in the center holds a book under his arm, as if to emphasize the importance of receiving a good education. Five rays emanate from the cross at the top reaching the children’s heads.