New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

2010/C 62/02

New national face of the new 2-euro commemorative coin intended for circulation and issued by Italy

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 side features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

Issuing country: Italy

Subject of commemoration: 200th Anniversary of the birth of Camillo Benso, count of Cavour.

Description of the design: The inner part of the coin shows in the centre a detail of the portrait of the Italian statesman. On the left ‘CAVOUR’ and the monogram of the Italian Republic ‘RI’. On the right ‘R’, the dates ‘1810’ and ‘2010’ and the initials of the artist Claudia Momoni ‘C.M.’.

The outer ring depicts the twelve stars of the European flag.

Approximate issuing volume: 4 million coins

Approximate issuing date: March 2010

(1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, pp. 1-30, for the national sides 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, pp. 52-55).