Vatican

2006

Commemorative coin

5th centenary of the Swiss Pontifical Guard

Official Journal of the European Union

The coin features a Swiss guard taking the solemn oath on the Swiss Guard flag. The inscription ‘GUARDIA SVIZZERA PONTIFICIA’ surrounds the guard, forming a semi-circle which is complemented under the flag by the name of the issuing state ‘CITTÁ DEL VATICANO’. The year 1506 appears on the left side, above the signature of the engraver ‘O. ROSSI’ along the pole of the flag. The year 2006 appears on the upper right side, above the mint mark ‘R’. The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer ring.

Additional information

The coin depicts a Swiss Guardsman taking the oath of allegiance to the Pope. The flag of the Guard above the horizontally held flagpole is embraced with the left hand, with the right hand raised and three fingers spread (which among other things symbolizes Trinity) of the oath taken. The swearing-in of the new recruits takes place on May 6th (the anniversary of the sacking of Rome in 1527) - in 2006 for the first time in St. Peter's Square.

Edge lettering

Designer