09 November 2013, The Tablet

Coining it in the Vatican


 
It's a long-standing tradition that popes offer gifts to those they meet in private audiences. Usually these consist of rosaries, key chains or medallions. Government and church leaders, ambassadors and other dignitaries, as well as their respective entourages, also get the official medal or coin marking the current year of the pontificate. A certain number are put on the market and are quickly bought up by collectors. Dealers were especially keen to get hold of the coin marking Pope Francis’ first year in office when it finally made its debut last month. But there was more than a slight problem. The Latin inscription on the coin, which contains the Pope’s motto, includes an embarrassing blunder: the name of Jesus is misspelled. Instead of “Iesus”, it is stamped &l
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