New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

2011/C 91/04

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

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), the Member States of the euro area 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 side features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

Issuing country: Republic of San Marino

Subject of commemoration: The 500th anniversary of the birth of the Italian painter Giorgio Vasari (30 July 1511-27 June 1574). Vasari was also a writer, historian and architect, famous for his biographies of Italian artists, and he is now considered the ideological founder of art-historical writing.

Description of the design: The inner part of the coin shows a detail from the painting ‘Judith and Holofernes’ by Giorgio Vasari. At the bottom are the dates ‘1511-2011’, with ‘G. Vasari’ and the mint mark ‘R’ on the left. On the right are the inscriptions ‘San Marino’ and ‘C.M.’, the initials of the mint maker Claudia Momoni.

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

Number of coins to be issued: 130 000 coins

Date of issue: June 2011

(1)  For other national faces of euro coins intended for circulation, 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).