“Sede vacante” stamps and coins

The Philatelic and Numismatic Office of the Vatican City State issued on March 1 a set of four stamps, of 0.70, 0.85, 2, and 2.5 euros, with a picture of an angel holding the Apostolic Camera symbolizing the vacancy of the Apostolic See. 230,000 sets have been printed, and are being sold at 15 euros per set. The two-stamp set issued for the abdication of Benedict XVI costs 10 euros.

The Sede Vacante stamps are intended to commemorate the situation and ensure continuity in the issue of stamps, which can only be used for mailings within Vatican City, until the election of a new pope. Artist Daniela Longo was responsible for the design of the stamp set.

Furthermore, thanks to the monetary agreement with the European Union, a unique two-euro coin marked Sede Vacante 2013 will be issued, bearing the Apostolic Camera. 125,000 coins will be struck. Although it will only enter circulation in April, the coin will bear the name and image of Benedict XVI along with the year of his reign. 10,000 silver five-euro piece and 10,000 3-gram gold ones will also be struck in commemoration of the vacancy of the Holy See. Both will bear the Apostolic Camera  with the inscription Veni Creator Spiritus surrounding the dove representing the Holy Ghost. The two-euro coins can be used outside of Vatican City, but not the five-euro ones. (Sources: VIS – Philatelic and Numismatic Office – DICI no. 272, dated March 15, 2013)