2 euro - 500th anniversary of the death of Pietro Perugino

This year the Vatican State Mint commemorates the 5th centenary of the death of Pietro Vannucci, known as Perugino (c.1448 -1523) with two numismatic issues: a 2 euro bimetallic coin (in the uncirculated and proof double version) and the 25 euro silver rectangular colour coin. On the reverse side of the 2 euro coin, artist Daniela Fusco shows a profile of Perugino next to the baptism of Christ. The two images are based on two works by the Umbrian artist: a self-portrait found in a series of frescoes painted by Perugino in the Sala delle Udienze (Audience Hall) of the Collegio del Cambio in Perugia; and the Baptism of Christ, a fresco that is part of a series on the life of Jesus found on the north wall of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. The 25 euro silver coin by artist Chiara Principe features the central scene of the Handing over of the Keys to Saint Peter. The famous fresco in the Sistine Chapel, also part of the series on the life of Jesus, symbolises the communion of Christ with Peter and from him with his successors, recalled in the famous words: “Tu es petrus et super hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam …et tibi dabo claves regni caelorum” (you are Peter, and upon this rock i will build my church, and i will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven) (mt. 16, 13- 19).