Before the Vatican City adopted the euro, it utilized the lira as its form of currency.
The lira was not standalone, but was used in tandem with the Italian lira.
Each country issued its own coins, but shared the same banknotes. Instead of the euro
or Italian lira, I wanted to imagine what the Vatican lira would look like if the City
were to produce its own banknotes today.
The lira was not standalone, but was used in tandem with the Italian lira.
Each country issued its own coins, but shared the same banknotes. Instead of the euro
or Italian lira, I wanted to imagine what the Vatican lira would look like if the City
were to produce its own banknotes today.
The front of each banknote features a pope that, in one way or another, has made an artistic contribution to the culture of the Vatican. On the back of each banknote is an image a piece of art
or architecture commissioned by each pope.
or architecture commissioned by each pope.
The foil background patterns are taken from various mosaics found in Vatican flooring, and within the transparent security strip lie two coats of arms: the Vatican's and that of the banknote's pope.
Each denomination varies in size, and a series of notches are added for accessibility.
As the denomination increases, so to does the size and notch count.
As the denomination increases, so to does the size and notch count.
