5c Arms of Pope Pius XII single
Object Details
- Description
- On March 12, 1940, the Vatican celebrated the first anniversary of Pius XII's coronation by issuing a set of five stamps. The set includes 50-centessimi (lake), l-lire (black and violet), 1.25-lire (black and blue), 2-lire (black and brown), and 2.75 lire (black and purple) values.
- The 50-centessimi value bears an image of the arms of Pius XII, consisting of the crossed keys, the papal triple tiara, and a dove with an olive branch poised on three columns, symbolizing the Trinity. Scrollwork encircles the coat of arms. The 1-lire and 2-lire values feature a vignette of Pius XII facing right. The 1.25 and 2.75-lire values include the vignette of Pius XII facing left. POSTE VATICANE appears at the top, and the stamp's value is located at the bottom of each issue.
- Eugenio Cardinal Pacelli, Pope Pius XII (b. 1876; 1939-1958), held many offices in service to the Holy See. He served as nuncio to Germany beginning in 1920. He was appointed Cardinal-Priest in 1929, Secretary of State in February 1930, and Camerlengo (chamberlain) in 1935. The Camerlengo administers the property and revenue of the Holy See and manages its affairs in the interregnum following the death of a pope. He was elected pope on March 2, 1939. His papal coronation occurred on March 12, 1939.
- Corrado Mezzana, referencing portraits engraved by Nicastro and Richelli, designed the stamps. Each stamp measures 2.3 x 3 cm with 14 x 14 perforations. The Crossed Keys of St. Peter watermark the stamps. The Italian State Printing Works, Rome, produced the stamps using recess printing. A total of 315,000 sets were issued, and they remained on sale until February 28, 1947.
- References:
- "Vatikanstatt" in Michel Europa-Katalog, volume 3, Sudeuropa, Unterschleissheim, Germany: Schwaneberger Verlag GMBH, 2008.
- "Vatican City," in Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue, part 8, Italy and Switzerland, 7th edition, Ringwood, Hampshire, England, 2010.
- "Vatican City," in Scott Standard Stamp Catalogue, volume 6, Sidney, Ohio: Scott Publishing Company, 2006.
- "Pius XII," in J. N. D. Kelly, Oxford Dictionary of Popes, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.
- Data Source
- National Postal Museum
- Date
- March 12, 1940
- Object number
- 2008.2009.67
- Type
- Postage Stamps
- Medium
- paper; ink(multicolored)
- Place
- VATICAN CITY (independent city state)
- See more items in
- National Postal Museum Collection
- Title
- Scott Catalogue Vatican City 72
- Topic
- International Stamps & Mail
- Record ID
- npm_2008.2009.67
