# Vatican lira

> currency of the Vatican City between 1929 and 2002

**Wikidata**: [Q183354](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q183354)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_lira)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vatican-lira

## Summary
The Vatican lira (VAL) was the currency of Vatican City from February 11, 1929, to February 28, 2002, when it was replaced by the euro. Issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, it was the first and only currency of the sovereign Vatican City State. The lira was pegged to the Italian lira at a fixed exchange rate of 1:1, reflecting Vatican City's close economic and political ties with Italy.

## Key Facts
- **Issuance Period**: February 11, 1929 – February 28, 2002
- **Issuer**: Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (Italian Mint)
- **Country**: Vatican City
- **Denominations**: Coins (1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 lire) and banknotes (500, 1000, 5000 lire)
- **ISO 4217 Code**: VAL
- **Exchange Rate**: Pegged to the Italian lira at 1:1
- **Replacement Currency**: Euro (adopted on January 1, 1999)
- **Symbol**: ₤ (shared with other lira currencies)
- **Wikidata ID**: Q2274312
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 35 language editions
- **Related Entities**: Preceded by the papal lira (Papal States, 1866–1870); succeeded by the euro (European Union, 1999–present)

## FAQs
**What was the Vatican lira, and why was it introduced?**
The Vatican lira was introduced on February 11, 1929, as the official currency of Vatican City following the Lateran Treaty, which established the sovereign Vatican City State. It replaced the Italian lira, which had been in use in the territory, and was pegged to the Italian lira at a fixed exchange rate of 1:1 to maintain economic stability.

**How did the Vatican lira differ from other currencies of its time?**
Unlike most currencies, the Vatican lira was issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, the Italian Mint, and was the only currency of the sovereign Vatican City State. It was unique in that it was the first and only currency of a sovereign city-state, reflecting Vatican City's distinct legal and economic status.

**When and why was the Vatican lira discontinued?**
The Vatican lira was discontinued on February 28, 2002, and replaced by the euro, which had been adopted by Vatican City on January 1, 1999. The transition was part of Italy's adoption of the euro, and Vatican City followed suit to align with its economic and political partners.

**What denominations were available in the Vatican lira?**
The Vatican lira was available in coin denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 lire, as well as banknotes of 500, 1000, and 5000 lire. The coins and banknotes featured designs reflecting Vatican City's religious and historical significance.

**How was the Vatican lira related to the Italian lira?**
The Vatican lira was pegged to the Italian lira at a fixed exchange rate of 1:1, reflecting Vatican City's close economic and political ties with Italy. This peg ensured stability and facilitated trade between the two entities.

## Why It Matters
The Vatican lira holds historical significance as the first and only currency of the sovereign Vatican City State, established by the Lateran Treaty in 1929. Its issuance marked a unique moment in monetary history, as it was the currency of a sovereign city-state, reflecting Vatican City's distinct legal and economic status. The lira's peg to the Italian lira at a fixed exchange rate of 1:1 underscored the close economic and political ties between Vatican City and Italy. The adoption of the euro in 1999 and the discontinuation of the Vatican lira in 2002 marked a significant transition in Vatican City's economic history, aligning it with Italy's adoption of the euro. The Vatican lira's brief existence and its role in the economic and political landscape of Vatican City make it a notable example of how currency reflects the unique status and relationships of a sovereign entity.

## Notable For
- **First Currency of a Sovereign City-State**: The Vatican lira was the first and only currency of the sovereign Vatican City State, established by the Lateran Treaty in 1929.
- **Pegged to the Italian Lira**: The Vatican lira was pegged to the Italian lira at a fixed exchange rate of 1:1, reflecting Vatican City's close economic and political ties with Italy.
- **Issued by the Italian Mint**: The Vatican lira was issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, the Italian Mint, highlighting the shared economic infrastructure between Vatican City and Italy.
- **Discontinued in Favor of the Euro**: The Vatican lira was discontinued on February 28, 2002, and replaced by the euro, which had been adopted by Vatican City on January 1, 1999, aligning with Italy's adoption of the euro.
- **Unique Denominations**: The Vatican lira featured denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 lire in coins, as well as 500, 1000, and 5000 lire in banknotes, reflecting its distinct economic status.
- **Symbol Shared with Other Lira Currencies**: The Vatican lira used the symbol ₤, shared with other lira currencies, indicating its connection to the broader monetary history of the Italian lira.

## Body

### History and Establishment
The Vatican lira was established on February 11, 1929, following the signing of the Lateran Treaty, which created the sovereign Vatican City State. The treaty resolved the "Roman Question," a long-standing dispute between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy, by establishing Vatican City as an independent enclave within Rome. The Vatican lira replaced the Italian lira, which had been in use in the territory, and was issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, the Italian Mint. The currency was pegged to the Italian lira at a fixed exchange rate of 1:1 to ensure economic stability and facilitate trade between Vatican City and Italy.

### Denominations and Design
The Vatican lira was available in coin denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 lire, as well as banknotes of 500, 1000, and 5000 lire. The coins and banknotes featured designs reflecting Vatican City's religious and historical significance, including images of the keys of St. Peter and the papal tiara. The currency was printed and minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, the Italian Mint, ensuring the quality and authenticity of the lira.

### Economic and Political Context
The Vatican lira was pegged to the Italian lira at a fixed exchange rate of 1:1, reflecting Vatican City's close economic and political ties with Italy. This peg ensured stability and facilitated trade between the two entities. The adoption of the euro in 1999 and the discontinuation of the Vatican lira in 2002 marked a significant transition in Vatican City's economic history, aligning it with Italy's adoption of the euro. The Vatican lira's brief existence and its role in the economic and political landscape of Vatican City make it a notable example of how currency reflects the unique status and relationships of a sovereign entity.

### Related Entities and Successors
The Vatican lira was preceded by the papal lira, the currency of the Papal States between 1866 and 1870. The Vatican lira was succeeded by the euro, which was adopted by Vatican City on January 1, 1999, and replaced the lira on February 28, 2002. The euro is the currency of most countries in the European Union, including Italy, and is issued by the European Central Bank. The adoption of the euro marked a significant transition in Vatican City's economic history, aligning it with Italy's adoption of the euro and reflecting the broader economic integration of the European Union.

### Technical and Standard Identifiers
The Vatican lira is identified by the ISO 4217 code VAL, which is used in international financial transactions and systems. The currency is also represented by the symbol ₤, shared with other lira currencies. The Vatican lira has a Wikidata ID of Q2274312 and is documented in 35 language editions of Wikipedia, reflecting its global relevance and recognition. The currency's technical and standard identifiers ensure its proper representation and use in financial and economic systems.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
The Vatican lira holds cultural and historical significance as the first and only currency of the sovereign Vatican City State. Its issuance marked a unique moment in monetary history, as it was the currency of a sovereign city-state, reflecting Vatican City's distinct legal and economic status. The lira's peg to the Italian lira at a fixed exchange rate of 1:1 underscored the close economic and political ties between Vatican City and Italy. The adoption of the euro in 1999 and the discontinuation of the Vatican lira in 2002 marked a significant transition in Vatican City's economic history, aligning it with Italy's adoption of the euro and reflecting the broader economic integration of the European Union. The Vatican lira's brief existence and its role in the economic and political landscape of Vatican City make it a notable example of how currency reflects the unique status and relationships of a sovereign entity.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013