The Italian 2 euro standard circulation coin features a portrait of Dante Alighieri, the celebrated Italian poet and author of the Divine Comedy. This design, originally created by the artist Raffaele Mastroianni, draws its inspiration from the famous painting by Raphael housed within the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. By depicting the father of the Italian language, the coin serves as a profound tribute to Italy's enduring cultural heritage and its significant contributions to Western literature and thought. The national side also incorporates the letters RI, representing the Repubblica Italiana, alongside the year of issue and the mint mark. This standard issue was produced in 2013 with a total mintage of 9,975,180 coins.