The Italian 2 euro standard circulation coin features a portrait of Dante Alighieri, the celebrated medieval poet and author of the Divine Comedy. This iconic design by Raffaello Sanzio, originally created for the Vatican Museums, depicts the profile of the Florentine writer, who is widely regarded as the father of the Italian language. His inclusion on the national side of the currency serves as a tribute to Italy's profound cultural heritage and its foundational role in the development of European literature. The reverse side follows the common European design, illustrating the map of the European Union. This standard issue coin was produced in 2012 with a total mintage of 26,971,010 pieces.