Zecca
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Zecca (Italian: Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato) is a historical papal mint located in Vatican City. The Zecca is still recognized by the Italian Republic, on behalf of the European Community, as the only legitimate establishment for the minting of Vatican coins and pontifical medals.[1]
[edit] History
The Italian government took over the operation of the mint in September 1870 and used it to make Italian coins. Due to the presence of Italian soldiers guarding the mint, a tunnel was constructed beneath the Apostolic Palace, to ensure private access to the Vatican gardens.[1]
When the Italian government announced that it would move its minting operations to a larger facility in 1901, Pope Leo XIII, concerned that an anti-papal organization would take up residence in the building, privately arranged to purchase to the building from the Giolitti government via Ernesto Pacelli in 1904.[1]
[edit] References
- Pollard, John F. (2005). Money and the Rise of the Modern Papacy: Financing the Vatican, 1850–1950. Cambridge University Press.
