New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

(2016/C 23/05)

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 : Slovakia

Subject of commemoration : The first Slovak Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Description of the design : The design is dominated by the coat of arms of the Slovak Republic at its centre against a background of dynamic centripetal lines representing the position and importance of the Slovak Republic during its presidency in the Council of the European Union. To the right of the coat of arms of the Slovak Republic is the year ‘2016’. Around the edge of the inner circle are the country name ‘SLOVENSKO’ (Slovakia) and the inscription ‘PREDSEDNÍCTVO SR V RADE EÚ’ (Slovak Presidency of the EU Council), which are separated by graphical symbols. The mint mark of the Kremnica Mint, composed of the letters ‘MK’ between two dies, and the stylised initials of the designer of the national side, Vladimír Pavlica, ‘VP’, are placed in the lower part of the composition.

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

Number of coins to be issued :

Date of issue : March 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).