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 image is based on a detail from the painting by Raphael housed in the Vatican Museums. By honouring Dante, Italy highlights its profound cultural heritage and the foundational role of the Italian language in European literature. The design is framed by the twelve stars of the European Union, symbolising unity and shared values across the continent. Surrounding the portrait are the letters RI, representing the Repubblica Italiana, alongside the year of issue and the mint mark. This standard issue was minted in 2014 with a total production of 3,000,000 coins.