| Description : The surprising resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, who had
been in office since 2005, caused a sedis vacancy ‐ which means "vacant seat" (Petri). The coin motif shows the emblem
of the Apostolic Chamber which is above the coat of arms of the Cardinal Treasurer Tarcisio Bertone and underneath his
motto "Fidem custodire, concordiam servare" (keep the faith, keep harmony). On the left of the motif is the issuing country
"CITTÀ DEL VATICANO" (Vatican City) and on the right the reason for commemoration "SEDE VACANTE MMXIII"
(2013 vacant seat), at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock position is a cross pattée each. The lower one
is flanked by, on the left "P. DANIELE" the logo of the designer Patrizio Daniele and on the right the initials
"M.C.C. INC." (INC. = incisore / engraver) of the engraver Maria Carmela Colaneri. The coin was produced by
the Italian mint Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato in Rome, whose mint mark "R" is on the left. |
