New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

(2016/C 281/10)

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 European Union 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 : Malta

Subject of commemoration : Ġgantija Temples

Description of the design : The coin depicts the Ġgantija Temples situated on the Island of Gozo. Ġgantija is a megalithic temple complex dating to the Neolithic ages. It is one of the world's oldest free-standing structures, as well as one of the oldest religious structures. Built approximately in the 36th century BC, Ġgantija pre-dates Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids. At the top right the inscription ‘ĠGANTIJA TEMPLES’ and underneath the years ‘3800-3200 BC’. At the bottom left the name of the country of issuance ‘MALTA’ and underneath the year of issuance ‘2016’, flanked by the mint master mark and the mint mark.

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

Number of coins to be issued :

Date of issue : July-August 2016

(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).