The standard 2 euro circulation coin from Italy features a portrait of Dante Alighieri, the celebrated Italian poet and author of the Divine Comedy. This iconic image is based on the painting by Raphael, housed within the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. By choosing the figure of Dante, Italy honours its profound literary heritage and the foundational role the poet played in the development of the Italian language. The design captures the profile of the man who remains a central pillar of European cultural history. Encircling the portrait are the twelve stars of the European Union, representing the unity and shared values of the member states. This coin was issued in 2017 with a mintage of 2,000,000 pieces.