New Vatican coin...but did this hat keep his ears warm?

Aethelred

For some reason I have never added a 500 Lire from Pope John XXIII to my collection, until yesterday. This coin was issued in 1962 to mark the start of Vatican II.

Bailathacl

Nice reverse. I haven't seen so many Cardinals sitting around motionless since the 2004 World Series....

rhound1977

You are building a nice Vatican collection, would like to see it some day....

STLNATS

Nice example of an interesting type. A similar reverse (pope sitting among the cardinals) was used on piastre of Innocent XII in the 1690s. Nice thing about papal, if you wait long enough the designs get recycled.

Aethelred

<< <i>You are building a nice Vatican collection, would like to see it some day.... >>



It is really only a small collection of perhaps two dozen coins, but I am sure you'll see it someday.

AuldFartte

<< <i>Nice reverse. I haven't seen so many Cardinals sitting around motionless since the 2004 World Series.... >>






Beautiful Vatican piece

Iosephus

Very nice coin! Definitely the best looking John XXIII 500 Lire, in my opinion.

Kurt4

I hate to be the offending voice...so to speak, but it looks like the tower of Babel(sp?) on top of his head.

SGbcn

<< <i>

<< <i>You are building a nice Vatican collection, would like to see it some day.... >>



It is really only a small collection of perhaps two dozen coins, but I am sure you'll see it someday. >>



That's 23 more Vaticans coins than me!. I've only got 100 Lire 1975 (pigeon) which is a nice one but definitely not as nice as your 500 Lire...

WillieBoyd2

One advantage of being the Pope:
You can wear any silly hat you want to and people will still line up to kiss your ring and buy coins with your picture on them.

Sapyx

That's not just any old "silly hat". It's the Triple Tiara, symbol of the Papacy since the 1300's.

Popes in recent years (Since the 1960's) have chosen not to wear it. Judging by the Wiki article, there's some debate as to what the three crowns actually signify and whether or not the current Pope should be allowed to replace it on the coat of arms.