New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

2011/C 50/02

National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Spain

Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the Community providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

Issuing country: Spain

Subject of commemoration: UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites — Patio de los Leones of the Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín in Granada

Description of the design: The design shows an image of the Patio de los Leones in the Alhambra in Granada. At the bottom the name of the issuing country ‘ESPAÑA’ and the year-date ‘2011’ and at the top, the mintmark.

The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Volume of issuance: 8 million coins

Date of issue: March 2011

(1)  For the other national sides of euro circulation coins, see http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/cash/coins/index_en.htm

(2)  See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52).