| For centuries until 1870, the Vatican issued its | | | | extreme quality make they are purchased most |
| own coins, which are now rare and highly sought | | | | only by collectors, who safely guard them in their |
| after. The strike was halted between 1870 and | | | | case. They would almost never let someone take |
| 1929 due to a conflict between the Vatican and | | | | them in hand, as the risk of damage them and |
| the new Italian state, which has commandeered | | | | make them lose their value is high. So it is unlikely |
| many areas of the Vatican. This conflict was | | | | that you will find one in your wallet when you are |
| settled in 1929 with the Lateran Agreements. | | | | at the store! Moreover, the value of coins from |
| The Vatican is, since the Lateran Treaty, the | | | | the Vatican tends to increase with time, especially |
| smallest country in the world. So it is a sovereign | | | | when the pope whose effigy is on the current |
| state, despite an area of 0.44 km squared and a | | | | coins dies. |
| population of approximately 800-900 people, and | | | | Indeed, the currencies of the Vatican always |
| has the right to strike its own currency, as well | | | | represent the pope at the time of their issuance. |
| as issue its own stamps. | | | | At the death, collectors know that no other piece |
| Since 1929, the Vatican therefore issue each year | | | | representing this pope in particular will be issued. |
| a new set of coins that had - except for gold | | | | Demand increases, but the offer declines, and so |
| coins - legal tender in Italy from 1929 to 1979, | | | | prices rise, sometimes significantly. Collecting |
| with a nominal value in lire, and in the European | | | | Vatican's coin can be considered a good |
| Union when the Vatican struck Euros coins in | | | | investment. |
| 2000. There was an interruption in the minting of | | | | When a vacancy takes place between two |
| coins from 1979 to 2000. | | | | popes, the Vatican makes no coins representing |
| Despite their legal tender which mean that they | | | | the Pope, a rare event whose collectors are |
| can be used in the Euro zone, these coins are | | | | taking advantage. These parts usually have the |
| usually sold in a box for well above their face | | | | arms of the cardinal who is temporarily in charge. |
| value. These boxes are made for collectors and | | | | In 2005, it was the arms of the Cardinal |
| contain coins of the highest quality, ranging from | | | | Chamberlain which were hit. |
| "Beautiful Uncirculated" to "Proof", and are | | | | Where to find them? |
| produced in limited quantities. Proof Boxes are | | | | The shop of the Vatican sell the new coins |
| usually accompanied by a commemorative silver | | | | annually, but stocks are being depleted faster in |
| coin. Their current price at the shop of the | | | | general because of the limited amount of coins. It |
| Vatican is about 30 for the package " Beautiful | | | | remains to numismatist eager to complete his |
| Uncirculated " and about 140 for the package | | | | collection the usual sources: conventions, eBay, |
| "Proof", for a nominal value of 3.88. | | | | numismatic associations, companies, |
| Special commemorative are ranging from a rate | | | | advertisements, etc. |
| of 14 (2 euro coin to commemorate) to 980 (gold | | | | As these coins take high value rapidly, it is better |
| coin with a nominal value of 100, without legal | | | | for novice collectors start their collection by |
| tender produced in less than 1,000 copies). | | | | restricting the set of parts of the following year |
| The high price of the Vatican's coins and their | | | | at the shop of the Vatican. |