5 euro - The Twelve Apostles: St. John

The Vatican State Mint continues its series of coins dedicated to the twelve apostles with the issue of this year’s 5 euro coin bearing the image of Saint John. On the obverse of the coin our artist Patrizio Daniele depicts an eagle in flight, a symbol attributed to John the Apostle. Just as an eagle can contemplate the centre of the sun without being blinded by it, Saint John was able to contemplate the mystery of Jesus as the Son of God and become a witness to His Truth. On the reverse of the coin in the centre is the image of John as described in his Gospel with his head reclining on Jesus’ shoulder during the Last Supper as he is about to ask Him who will be the one to betray Him.