Christ Coins

When Jesus of Nazareth scourged the money changers out of the Temple, his head was on no coin. But in Vatican City last week the Papal Government promulgated a new law authorizing issuance of Papal State gold, silver, nickel and copper coins.

The 100-lira gold piece ($19.30) Sears on the reverse a full length figure of Christ as King. He holds the usual emblems of regal power : the sceptre and the globe. At his feet cherubs support a crown. About his head is a halo. The inscription: Stato Citta Vaticano 1929.*

On the obverse of the 100-lira piece appears a bust of His Holiness Pope Pius XI in profile, wearing the cope and biretta.

Inscription: Pius XI Pont. Max. Anno IX.

In making change a Vatican City dweller would give :

Silver 10-lira pieces bearing on the reverse the Virgin Mary, crowned, enthroned and haloed above the legend "Queen of Peace"; on the obverse, Pope Pius XI in mozetta, stole and biretta.

5-lira pieces: reverse, St. Peter in a small boat; obverse, Pius XI as on the 10-lira piece.

Nickel 2-lira: reverse, the Good Shepherd with sheep; obverse, the Papal Arms.

1-lira: reverse, the Virgin with a halo of stars, crescent moon and globe near by ; obverse, the Papal Arms.

50-centesimo : reverse, the Archangel St. Michael sheathing his sword; obverse, the Papal Arms.

20-centesimo: reverse, figure of St.

Paul; obverse, Papal Arms.

Copper 10-centesimo: bust of St. Peter; Papal Arms.

5-centesimo (1/5-c-) : the Olive Branch ; Papal Arms.

Officially the Papal monetary unit is the "gold lira," identical in value with the stabilized Italian lira. Both kinds of lire will circulate without distinction in both the Kingdom of Italy and the Papal State.

But numismatists predict that the first minting of Pius XI coins will soon pass out of circulation in collections, or as keep sakes, "lucky" pieces, holy jewelry.

* Although issued in 1931 the coins are dated 1929 to commemorate the signing of the Lateran Treaties (TIME, Feb. 18, 1929).

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