The Polish Cardinal became Pope in 1978 but his first coin proof set was dated 1979. I had the honor of shaking his hand before the assasination attempt: http://christianity.wikia.com/wiki/1981_Pope_John_Paul_II_assassination_attempt
Sede Vacante coin: this 500 lire MCMLXVIII (1978) was minted after death of John Paul I and before the election of John Paul II.
Yes, I sold that and the five hundred Lre coin, the only one with JP I along with a gold medallion w JP I. He only served one month as Pope in 1978 before he died.
