Vatican Coincard 50 Cent 2017 Number 8

Since the year 2010, the Vatican has issued a Coincard containing a 50 cent coin from the Vatican. The Coincard of the year 2017 is number 8 of this series of coincards. The special thing about this coincard is that there is no image of the Pope on the coin. The present Pope Franciscus I has decided that his image does not need to be shown on the Vatican's coins any more. With effect from 2017 his image was replaced by the Papal Coat of Arms. This Crest has been used by Franciscus I since 1991 since his accession to Bishop of Argentina. At the top of the crest is a mitre with the two keys of Peter. In the centre are the letters IHS of Christ with a cross above them. There are also three black nails. The star is a reference to Mary, and the grass refers to Joseph. At the bottom of the crest is the Pope's motto. This crest is Miserande Atque Elegendo (Lowly but Chosen). The coin is packaged in a coincard with a front view of Pope Franciscus. To the right of the coin the Vatican City flag is shown and the text æ Official Coincard No 8, (also in Italian), is printed. On the back of the coincard is the technical data of the coin and coincard.