New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

(2017/C 206/09)

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 : Greece

Subject of commemoration : 60 years in memoriam of Nikos Kazantzakis

Description of the design : The design features a profile portrait of Nikos Kazantzakis, one of Greece’s greatest 20th century writers. Inscribed along the inner circle, at the left, is the wording ‘HELLENIC REPUBLIC’ and the name ‘NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS’ (in Greek). At the top is the year of issuance ‘2017’ and at centre left a palmette (the mint mark of the Greek Mint). Also visible at lower right is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos).

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

Number of coins to be issued : max 750 000

Date of issue : end of the first semester of 2017

(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).