Pope Francis didn't like that his effigy is on the coins issued by ''State of Vatican City.'' His effigy appeared first on Vatican coins in 2014 (IIRC).
Although against the rules -- mandating a 15 year waiting period before the national side of Euro coins can be changed; exception: head of state changes -- the Vatican somehow was able to get an exemption (or find a loop hole). Anyways, starting this year, the Vatican coinage will show the Pope's coat of arms.
Here the link to the offical announcement:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:JOC_2017_023_R_0006&from=DEI don't want to get too political. But this is the stuff that angers me and others. The EU makes rules and then they change them, ignore them, or find a ''legal'' way around them.
By the way, the last few years, the Vatican used the 50 Cent coin to fulfill its obligation to enter its coins into
actual circulation (mintage was 1,5 to 2,2 million). This means, with some luck one might find one in actual circulation and dealers offer the 50 Cent coin for 3,00 to 7,00 Euros.
It will be interesting to see which denom the Vatican will use in 2017 to fulfill its obligation.
