Vatican 2011: World Youth Day (Madrid)

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This year the "World Youth Day" of the Roman Catholic Church will be in Madrid - see http://www.madrid11.com/. On that occasion the Vatican will issue a commemorative €2 coin. The WYD is in August; the coin is currently scheduled for October. Mintage 115,000 according to the European Commission site.

The design features young people with flags and a crown, and the inscriptions "XXVI" (26th) and "G.M.G." (Giornata Mondiale della Gioventù, ie. World Youth Day). And as usual, the country name, year and mintmark. More details later.

Christian

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As for the "XXVI" (26), that may be a little confusing. The World Youth Day takes place every two to three years. However, the first WYD was in 1985, thus 26 years ago. The coin is designed by Orietta Rossi; she has designed several Vatican coins before.

The two flags represent the Vatican (center) and Spain (right). The crown with the cross is from the World Youth Day 2011 logo. That logo, designed by José Gil-Nogues, refers to the crown of the Virgin of Almudena but the M shape also means Madrid.

Christian