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The Vatican has already revealed the designs for the two commemorative €2 coins it will issue in 2026. One will be dedicated to the Magisterium of Pope Leo XIV and will feature one of the messages that are marking the beginning of his pontificate; the other will commemorate the 400th anniversary of the dedication of St. Peter's Basilica.
The images are not from a leak or a recreation by third parties. They were published by the Vatican City State Governorate itself.
2 euros "Magisterium of Pope Leo XIV"
The first of the two coins is listed in the official numismatic program with the name "Magistero di Papa Leone XIV" and will be issued in both FDC (Fior di Conio) and Proof (Fondo Specchio) quality.
The design presents a scene rich in symbolism. A child appears before a warrior in armor, while the sword occupies the center of the composition. To the left, following the curve of the core, one can read "CITTÀ DEL VATICANO" (Vatican City), while the year 2026 appears in the lower section. The "R" corresponding to the Rome mint mark is also visible.
The Governorate leaves no doubt about the message this coin intends to convey. In the same article where it publishes the image, it explains that several issues from 2026 will be dedicated to the Magisterium of the Holy Father and expressly mentions:
"The call for an unarmed and disarming peace, commemorated on one of the forthcoming two euro commemorative coins."
A phrase spoken by Leo XIV immediately after being elected Pope
The expression "an unarmed peace and a disarming peace" is closely linked to the beginning of the pontificate of Leo XIV.
On May 8, 2025, just minutes after his election, Robert Francis Prevost appeared for the first time as Pope in the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica. His first message to the world began by speaking precisely of peace:
"This is the peace of the risen Christ, a disarmed peace and a disarming peace, humble and persevering."
The concept was not limited to that first speech. Leo XIV later made it one of the cornerstones of his Magisterium and chose it as the theme for his message for the 59th World Day of Peace, celebrated on January 1, 2026, under the title "Peace be with you all: towards an unarmed and disarming peace".
The child and the warrior make even more sense
Although the official technical description of the design that will accompany the coin has not yet been published when it is formally communicated to the European institutions, Leo XIV's message for the World Day of Peace allows for a much better understanding of the chosen scene.
In that document the Pope speaks of the "disarmament of the heart, mind and life" and recalls the biblical image of the peoples who transform their swords into tools.
But there is a passage even more closely related to what we see on the coin. Leo XIV states that "kindness is disarming" and immediately turns his attention to childhood, noting that nothing has as much power to change a human being as a child.
The scene of the child facing the armed man seems to visually convey that opposition: in the face of strength, armor and the sword, appears the fragility capable of disarming.
It will be necessary to wait for the final presentation of the coin to learn the official iconographic interpretation and to know if the figures represent specific characters or are only symbolic in nature.
2 euros for the 400th anniversary of St. Peter's Basilica
The Vatican's second commemorative 2 euro coin for 2026 will be dedicated to the 400th anniversary of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
It is also officially included in this year's numismatic program and will be marketed in FDC and Proof versions.
Its design is especially interesting for numismatic enthusiasts because it does not simply show the building, its facade, or its famous dome.
The Vatican has chosen to revive an image from its own medal-making tradition.
A numismatic scene that takes us back to the 17th century
In the center of the coin appears the Pontiff during a religious ceremony accompanied by different members of the clergy.
The scene is surrounded by the Latin inscription:
St. Petri Basilica Consecrata
which can be translated as "Consecrated St. Peter's Basilica".
The dates 1626–2026 appear in the exergue , while the mint mark "R" of Rome is visible above the scene. The twelve stars of the European flag occupy, as is customary, the outer ring.
The Governorate itself provides a piece of information of enormous numismatic interest. It explains that the collaboration established with the Fabbrica di San Pietro to celebrate the fourth centenary will allow for the creation of two coins related to the event, and that one of them will incorporate a 17th-century medal created to commemorate that historical event.
The precedent of the Urban VIII medal
The composition used on the new 2 euro coin coincides with a well-known type of medal from the pontificate of Pope Urban VIII (1623-1644), on whose reverses appears the Pontiff accompanied by his court during the ceremony and the same legend "S. PETRI BASILICA CONSECRATA".
This type is related to the medalist Gaspare Mola, one of the great names in papal medal making of the 17th century.
The Governorate, however, has not yet indicated in its presentation exactly which historical specimen was used as a model for the 2026 coin, so we will have to wait for the final official document to establish all the details of that recovery with precision.
What is clear is the intention: to bring back into circulation a numismatic image from approximately four centuries ago, this time adapted to the bimetallic format of the 2 euro coin.
What happened in San Pedro in 1626?
The construction of the current St. Peter's Basilica had begun in 1506 , during the pontificate of Julius II, on the site occupied by the old Constantinian basilica.
For more than a century, some of the most important figures in Italian architecture participated in the gigantic project, including Donato Bramante, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Finally, on November 18, 1626, Pope Urban VIII solemnly consecrated the new St. Peter's Basilica.
Four centuries later, the Vatican is celebrating that anniversary throughout 2026 with religious and cultural events organized by the Fabbrica di San Pietro. The celebrations will culminate on November 18, 2026, with a Mass presided over by Pope Leo XIV.
The same themes will also appear on 25 euro coins
These two 2 euro coins will not be the only Vatican issues of 2026 related to both events.
The official numismatic program also includes a rectangular 25 euro coin in silver and colored, dedicated to the Magisterium of Pope Leo XIV.
In addition, another 25 euro coin in silver and colored will be issued for the 400th anniversary of St. Peter's Basilica.
This demonstrates the importance that both topics will have within the Vatican's numismatic program for 2026.
2026, a year of transformation for Vatican numismatics
The appearance of these coins also coincides with a much broader renewal.
The Governorate itself describes 2026 as a "moment of profound transformation for Vatican numismatics." Among the most visible changes is the return of the Pope's portrait to ordinary coins , after Francis decided in 2017 to replace his effigy with his coat of arms.
With Leo XIV, the new series brings back the papal portrait, while different collector and commemorative coins will be used to convey some of the messages of his Magisterium.
Known facts about the two currencies
Feature Teaching of Leo XIVSt. Peter's BasilicaIssuing State Vatican City Vatican City
Year 2026 2026
Face value 2 euros 2 euros
Reason The teachings of Pope Leo XIV 400th anniversary of St. Peter's Basilica
Advertised qualities FDC and Proof FDC and Proof
Weight 8.50 g 8.50 g
Diameter 25.75 mm 25.75 mm
Thickness 2.20 mm 2.20 mm
Mint Rome (R) Rome (R)
Print run Pending announcement Pending announcement
Date of issue Pending announcement Pending announcement
Design author Pending announcement Pending announcement
There is still important information to be revealed
Although we now officially know what the two pieces look like, the Vatican has not yet published their complete numismatic records.
The print runs for each version, the exact release dates, the sale prices, the names of the artists and engravers, and the characteristics of the presentations in which they will be offered to collectors remain to be confirmed.
Nor has the detailed official description of both designs been released yet, which would allow for the precise identification of all their iconographic elements.
What is now beyond all doubt is that these will be the two commemorative 2 euro coins of the Vatican for 2026: one will bear one of the most recognizable messages of the newly begun pontificate of Leo XIV and the other will recover, four centuries later, an image from the historic papal medals linked to St. Peter's Basilica.
Commemorative 2 euro coins 2026
Vatican commemorative 2 euro coins
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