Sede Vacante Collection

This collection from the Vatican contains 5 sede vacante coins made of silver. Sede vacante coins are issued during the period when the Holy See is vacant and a popular collector’s item.

The coins, which are minted at the instruction of the Cardinal Chamberlain to commemorate the period of sede vacante, differentiate from the normal coins of the Vatican.

On the obverse, each of them shows the coat of arms of the Cardinal Chamberlain (Camerlengo) during the period of sede vacante. The coat of arms consists of the Camerlengo’s personal coat of arms as well as the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the baldachin designated as the umbraculum.

Furthermore, they show the circumscription SEDE VACANTE (the seat being vacant).

On the reverse, a dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit, and the inscription VENI SANCTE SPIRITVS (Come, Holy Spirit) or INFVNDE AMOREM CORDIBVS (Pour love into our hearts) are depicted.