New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

2012/C 103/03

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

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: France

Subject of commemoration: The 100th anniversary of the birth of the Abbé Pierre, famous in France as protector of the Poor

Description of the design: The coin depicts a portrait of the Abbé Pierre, with its béret, and the logo of its foundation, with a microtext mentioning ‘Et les autres?’ which was its favorite motto to recall that one should never forget to help the others. The letters ‘RF’ do appear for ‘République française’ together with the horn of plenty, mintmark of Monnaie de Paris on the left side, and the ‘fleurette’, hallmark of the engraving workshop on the right side.

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

Number of coins to be issued: 1 million

Date of issue: July 2012

(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).