The Italian 2 euro standard circulation coin features a portrait of Dante Alighieri, the celebrated Italian poet and author of the Divine Comedy. This iconic design was originally created by the artist Raffaello Sanzio and is based on a portrait housed in the Vatican Museums. By depicting the father of the Italian language, the coin reflects the country's profound literary heritage and its enduring influence on Western culture. The reverse side follows the common European map design used across the eurozone. Surrounding the portrait are the twelve stars of the European Union, symbolising unity and harmony among member states. This standard issue was minted in 2023 with a total mintage of 21,977,000 pieces.