20 euro - 250th anniversary of the foundation of the Pontifical Lateran University

The Vatican Mint is dedicating an extraordinary 20 euro copper coin (FS version) this year for the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the Pontifical Lateran University, whose origins date back to 1773 when Pope Clement XIV entrusted the faculties of Sacred Theology and Philosophy of the Roman College to the clergy of Rome. In 1932 Pope Pius XI assigned the University its definitive location at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran. Inspired by the mosaic on the back wall of the Aula Magna, our artist Patrizio Daniele depicts on the reverse of the coin Jesus seated on a throne with his right hand raised in the act of blessing; his left hand holds the closed Gospel on the cover of which appear the letters alpha and omega “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Rev. 22:13). On the obverse of the coin on either side of the papal coat of arms, artist Patrizio Daniele features the two statues of Saints Peter and Paul that adorn the entrance to the University.