5 euro – The Twelve Apostles: Saint Philip

The Vatican State Mint continues with its series of coins dedicated to the twelve apostles by issuing the 5 euro coin this year with the image of Saint Philip. Artist Luigi Oldani depicts the apostle in old age, symbolised with his long beard and curved shoulders. On the right side of the coin is the cross, symbol of his martyrdom. Saint Philip followed Jesus from the beginning of his ministry until his Ascension. The New Testament does not provide many details about him, but according to tradition Philip, like the other apostles, travelled to different regions to spread Christianity. He went as far as Scythia (near modern-day Ukraine) and then to Phrygia (in present-day Turkey) in whose capital, Hierapolis, he was martyred by crucifixion upside down by order of a Roman proconsul.