2 Euro Italy 2026 "Saint Francis of Assisi" Proof

Italy 2 Euro 2026 “Saint Francis of Assisi” – Reverse Proof commemorates the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi (1226–2026), patron saint of Italy and one of the most important figures in Italian religious, cultural and spiritual history. The commemorative coin was issued by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance and struck by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS). It was officially released on 1 April 2026 as part of the Italian 2026 Numismatic Collection.

The national side features Saint Francis of Assisi, with the portrait inspired by a famous 14th-century fresco by Simone Martini preserved in the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, Umbria. This artistic reference creates a direct connection between the modern commemorative coin and one of the masterpieces associated with the historical and spiritual heritage of Assisi. Surrounding the central portrait is the inscription “SAN FRANCESCO D’ASSISI 1226-2026”, marking the year of the saint’s death and the year of the commemorative issue.

The lower part of the design contains the “R” mintmark of the Rome Mint, the “AV” signature of engraver Antonio Vecchio and the “RI” monogram of the Italian Republic. The outer ring carries the twelve stars of the European Union. The combination of the historical portrait, precise lettering and classical artistic source gives the national side a strong connection with Italian cultural heritage while retaining the characteristic format of a modern €2 commemorative coin.

The defining feature of this collector version is its Reverse Proof finish. Unlike a conventional Proof coin, where the fields are mirror-polished and the relief is satin or matt, Reverse Proof reverses this relationship: the fields are satin-finished, while the raised design elements are highly polished with a mirror-like appearance. This contrasting treatment emphasizes the portrait, inscriptions and relief details in a particularly distinctive way. The Saint Francis issue is historically significant for Italian euro collectors because it belongs to the first Italian €2 Reverse Proof issues ever produced.

The Reverse Proof version has a strictly limited mintage of 5,000 pieces. The same commemorative design was also released in Fior di Conio and Proof finishes, but the Reverse Proof edition represents the most limited of the three principal finishes. Its combination of a major Italian historical subject, a direct reference to Simone Martini’s art and an innovative surface treatment makes it a particularly distinctive modern Italian €2 commemorative coin.

Specifications:

• Country: Italy
• Denomination: 2 Euro
• Year: 2026
• Theme: 800th Anniversary of the Death of Saint Francis of Assisi
• Quality: Reverse Proof
• Packaging: Official collector presentation
• Mintage: 5,000 pieces
• Metal: Bimetallic
• Diameter: 25.75 mm
• Weight: 8.50 g
• Shape: Round
• National-side subject: Saint Francis of Assisi, inspired by the fresco of Simone Martini
• Designer / Engraver: Antonio Vecchio
• Mint: Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, Rome
• Mintmark: R
• Issue date: 1 April 2026
• Finish: Satin-finished fields with mirror-polished relief
• Edge: Standard €2 edge lettering and symbols
• Legal tender: Throughout the euro area

Package includes: 1 × Italy 2 Euro 2026 “Saint Francis of Assisi” commemorative coin in Reverse Proof quality with official collector packaging.