Counterfeit Detection: Vatican City 1950 Gold 100 Lire

The Catholic Church occasionally celebrates “Jubilee” years, which involve pilgrimages and a special focus on forgiveness. Jubilees have been held regularly in years divisible by 25 (with the 2025 Jubilee already underway) and occasionally at other times to mark other important religious themes or anniversaries.

An important aspect of the Jubilee celebrations is the opening of special doors in major basilicas in Rome. Pope Francis opened such a door at Saint Peter’s Basilica a few weeks ago on Christmas Eve. In former years, such a ceremony was performed with a hammer, as shown on the reverse of this Vatican City 1950 Gold 100 Lire showing Pope Piux XII opening a holy door for that Jubilee year. (The hammer has been phased out for safety reasons.)

Genuine Vatican City 1950 Gold 100 Lire

The NGC Census contains more than 200 examples of this coin, which weighs 5.19 grams, is struck in .900 fine gold and has a diameter of 21 mm (about the same as a Jefferson Nickel). NGC recently received a purported example of this coin.

Counterfeit Vatican City 1950 Gold 100 Lire

There are numerous red flags that help identify this coin as a counterfeit, beginning with the loss of detail in the papal tiara on the obverse. In addition, the rim of the counterfeit is weak, fading out in places, which is particularly noticeable near the 'XII'. There are also quite a few tool marks in this area, a telltale sign that a counterfeiter needed to correct a serious issue with the die.

Close-ups of the obverse of the genuine (left) and counterfeit Vatican City 1950 Gold 100 Lire

The counterfeit coin also exhibits grainy surfaces and the reeding on its edge is shallow. Meanwhile, the lettering is flat on both the front and the back. And additional tool marks can be seen above the denomination on the reverse. All these problems add up to an unholy mess of a counterfeit.

Close-ups of the reverse of the genuine (left) and counterfeit Vatican City 1950 Gold 100 Lire

Coins like these were struck for collectors, who want to know to know they have the real deal. Remember, NGC backs its determinations of authenticity and grade with the NGC Guarantee.

Did you know? NGC has created a comprehensive Counterfeit Detection resource to help collectors and dealers identify counterfeit and altered coins. Visit NGCcoin.com/counterfeit.