Edict of Milan
1700th Anniversary

The Edict of Milan was issued in 313 by Co-Emperors Constantine and Licioius. It was a circular letter sent to governors of provinces of the Roman Empire. The Edict is commemorated on its 1700th anniversary year because it granted religious toleration to all within the Roman Empire. This was important for Christians because they had been periodically persecuted by imperial officials for not sacrificing to the Roman gods or the imperial cult. Only 67 years later in 380, Emperor Theodosius I proclaimed Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. The Edict of Milan is commemorated by issuing three single stamps with values of €0,70, €0,85, and €2,50 and a souvenir sheet (or leaflet). The souvenir sheet is a joint issue with Italy contains a €1,90 stamp. The 300,000 stamps and 90,000 souvenir sheets design reproduce recently restored frescoes featuring Constantine and Pope Sylvester I. The 13th century frescoes are located at the Oratory of Pope Sylvester in the Santi Quattro Coronato Basilica in Rome. These frescoes represent non historical events and are open to considerable interpretation. The €0,70 stamp depicts the baptism of Constantine. Pope Sylvester I did not baptize Constantine. The €0,85 stamp has Constantine giving Sylvester a crown symbolizing authority, which also is not historical. Emperor Constantine leads Pope Sylvester's Horse in the €2,50 value. The souvenir sheet may represent Pope Sylvester holding a portrait of SS Peter and Paul and, if so, it may serve as Constantine's authorization of the construction of St. Peter's Basilica and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls which is understood as historically accurate. Technical Details: Scott Catalogue - 1532 - 1535 Date Issued - 12 June 2013 Face Value - €0,70, €0,85, €2,50 Perforations - 13 x 13-1/4 Printing Process - Offset Printer - Cartor (France) Max Printed - 300,000 Joint Issue - Italy

(Source - Vatican Notes: Volume: 61 Issue: 357 Page: 4-6 )