Vatican City 5-LIRE (KM118)

Pelican

This coin was issued under the reign of Pope Paul VI and features a pelican wounding her own breast to feed her young (because there is no other food available). Alternatively, she killed her own young, then resurrected them with her own blood (which, somewhat fittingly, makes no sense).

In this Christian myth the pelican symbolizes the Passion of Jesus and the Eucharist. It dates to medieval Europe and you can read more about it here.

Thanks to Roger B. for info on this coin


Diameter
20.1 mm
Composition
Aluminum
Catalogue #
KM118
Obverse Legend
PAULUS VI P.M. A. XI MCMLXXIII
Reverse Legend
CITTA' DEL VATICANO L. 5

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