Europe 2025: National Archaeological Discoveries - €1.30

For the Europa 2025 series, the Postal and Philatelic Service of the Vatican City State drew inspiration from the necropolis beneath St. Peter’s Basilica and from that along the Via Triumphalis—an exceptional archaeological area that exemplifies an ancient Roman burial ground. The Europa 2025 series consists of three stamps and features details of artifacts unearthed in the Vatican during excavations carried out in 1941, at the level of the ancient Constantinian basilica and, more recently, in the cemetery area of the ancient Via Triumphalis. Among the former is the so-called Sarcophagus of Jonah, whose sides bear sculpted figures of the Apostles Peter and Paul, depicted respectively on the €0.10 and €0.15 stamps. The edicule of Tiberius Natronius Venustus, reproduced on the €1.30 stamp, belongs to the necropolis on the Via Triumphalis. It is named after the child buried there, whose beautiful marble portrait has been remarkably well preserved.