New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

2011/C 273/04

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

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 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: Portugal

Subject of commemoration: The 500th anniversary of the birth of Fernão Mendes Pinto, the Portuguese explorer of the Asian seas and countries

Description of the design: The inner part of the coin depicts a sailing ship on several wave-shaped inscriptions referring to Portugal, Lisbon, his book and some of his travel destinations. The inscription ‘Portugal’ appears underneath. His name combined with the years 1511 and 2011 appear on top of the inner part.

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

Number of coins to be issued:

Date of issue: September 2011

(1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.

(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).