Vatican City: New bi-metallic €5 commemorative coin remembers centenary of the death of Pope Benedict XV

Hover to zoom.

The treasury of the Vatican City State, or the Holy See, will release (6th October) new bi-metallic commemorative €5 coins which mark the centenary anniversary of the death of Pope Benedict XV (1854–1922). He is remembered as a conciliatory figure during the First World War and for promulgating the Church’s first comprehensive Code of Canon Law in 1917. Born on the 21st November 1854, Giacomo Della Chiesa was the third child of the Marquis Giuseppe and Marchesa Giovanna Migliorati, a noble family of Genovese heritage and lineage. At the age of just fifteen, the young Giacomo expressed a desire to enter the priesthood, against his father’s wishes. It was a condition that before he made this life-changing decision, he would complete his studies, which he agreed to. In August 1875, Giacomo graduated in law, and as agreed to, with his father’s consent, he entered the Capranicense Seminary in Rome and was ordained a priest on the 21st December 1878. In December 1907, he was consecrated as a Bishop by Pope Pius X in the Sistine Chapel, and Monsignor Della Chiesa was chosen to lead the diocese of Bologna. Bishop Della Chiesa rose within the ranks of the Church’s hierarchy when on the 25th May 1914, he was elevated to Cardinal, a Prince of the Church. However, less than three months later, on the 20th August, and with the unexpected death of Pope Pius X, the College of Cardinals assembled to choose Pius X’s successor. This was decided on the 3rd September and Cardinal della Chiesa was their choice. He accepted their vote and chose the name Benedict XV. Barely three months from his accession to the throne of St. Peter, and Europe found itself in turmoil as Austria-Hungary had declared war on the Kingdom of Serbia following the assassination of the heir to the Austrian-Hungarian throne in June 1914. In turn, the German Empire declared war on Russia in August and on France two days later. Shortly thereafter, Great Britain declared war on Germany, and soon after, virtually all of Europe was engaged in conflict. Unfortunately, the new Pope’s repeated invocation for peace, delivered from the Gospel of Luke “Peace on Earth — goodwill to all men,” was wholly ignored, and fighting continued for another four years. With the formal cessation of hostilities in November 1918, Benedict XV’s attention was dedicated to the work of the International Peace Conference — inaugurated in Paris in January 1919, which resulted in a formal peace treaty ending the war. At this time, and as part of the peace conference, American President Woodrow Wilson was granted an audience with the Pontiff, which occurred on the 4th January 1919 in Rome. In December 1921, though he was not present, a monument was dedicated to the efforts of Benedict XV during the First World War. Located in a public square in Constantinople, was the inscription at the foot of the monument, which read:

To the great Pontiff of the world during this tragic hour, Benedict XV, Benefactor of all peoples without distinction of nationality and religion. As a sign of gratitude from the East, 1914-1919.

Pope Benedict XV died on the 22nd January 1922 and was succeeded by Cardinal Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, who took the regnal name of Pius XI.

The coins are produced by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome, Italy, on behalf of the treasury of the Vatican City State and are designed by artist Patrizio Daniele. The obverse side depicts Benedict XV in prayer, which is inspired by the intricately detailed sculpture of the Pontiff that is part of his monument located in the Sistine Chapel. He is seen in profile facing left with his hands joined in prayer and the words LA GUERRA, UN’ INUTILE STRAGE (“war, a useless slaughter”), which is placed below his likeness. The phrase is taken from a letter written by the Pope in 1917 sent to the belligerent powers with the Pope inviting them to reflect on their grave responsibilities before God and humanity. Immediately below the likeness of Benedict XV is a facsimile of his signature. The denomination of CINQUE EURO is found along the upper-left edge above the primary design. The reverse side depicts the crest of the current Pontiff Francis along with the legend FRANCISCUS PP ANNO DOMINI MMXXII. The papal motto MISERANDO ATQUE ELIGENDO of His Eminence (“by having mercy, by choosing him”) is placed under the crest.

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Maximum Mintage
Five euro	Bi-metallic	9.5 g	27.5 mm	Proof	4,300

Available from the 6th October, the Proof versions are encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. For further information, please click here.

❑