Vatican

2008

Commemorative coin

The Year of Saint Paul

Official Journal of the European Union

The inner part of the coin depicts the conversion of Saint Paul on the road to Damascus (the city is visible in the background); the saint, dazzled by a light from the sky, falls from his rearing horse. Two inscriptions are engraved around the portrait: on the left hand side, an inscription denoting the issuing country ‘CITTÀ DEL VATICANO’; on the right hand side, the legend ‘ANNO SANCTO PAULO DICATO’. The year ‘2008’ is inscribed to the right of the portrait, as well as the mintmark ‘R’ and the artist's name ‘VEROI’. Beneath the portrait are the initials of the engraver Luciana De Simoni, ‘L.D.S. INC.’. The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer ring.

Additional information

As a Greek-educated Jew and law-abiding Pharisee with Roman citizenship, Paul († ~64) initially persecuted the followers of Jesus Christ. Only through the Damascus experience is said to have been converted and called to be an apostle of the nations. This is represented by a ray of light falling on Paul and his rearing horse. In the background the city wall of Damascus with three defence towers and a city gate is depicted.

Edge lettering

Designer