New national sides of euro circulation coins

(2008/C 273/06)

On 8 July 2008, the Council of the European Union decided that the Slovak Republic fulfils the necessary conditions for the adoption of the euro on 1 January 2009 (1).

From 1 January 2009 the Slovak Republic will therefore issue euro coins, subject to the approval by the ECB of the volume of the issue (cf. Article 106(2) of the Treaty establishing the European Community).

Euro circulation coins have legal tender status throughout the euro area. The Commission publishes all new euro coin designs (2) with a view to informing all parties required to handle coins in the course of their work as well as the public at large.

The 10-, 20- and 50-cent coins and the 1- and 2-euro coins will be issued by the Slovak Republic with the new common sides of the euro coins (3). The smallest denomination coins (1-, 2- and 5-cent) will be issued with the original common side, since the common side of these denominations has not been modified.

Issuing State: Slovak Republic

Start of issuing: January 2009

Description of the designs:

1 EURO CENT — 2 EURO CENT — 5 EURO CENT

The centre of the coin depicts Tatra Mountains' peak, Kriváň. The name of the country ‘SLOVENSKO’ and the year mark are engraved under the mountain. Under the yearmark, the national emblem of Slovakia is flanked by the mintmark on the left hand side and initial ‘Z’ of the engraver Drahomír Zobek on the right hand side. The design is surrounded by the twelve stars of the European flag.

10 EURO CENT — 20 EURO CENT — 50 EURO CENT

The centre of the coin shows the Bratislava castle with the national emblem of Slovakia in the left hand side foreground. The year mark appears under the castle. The name of the country ‘SLOVENSKO’ is engraved in an arch of circle along the bottom of the design. The mintmark can be seen on the left hand side of the emblem, and the initials JČ and PK of the artists Ján Černaj and Pavel Károly on the right hand side. The design is surrounded by the twelve stars of the European flag.

1 EURO — 2 EURO

The inner circle of the coin depicts a double cross on three hills (as featured in the national emblem of Slovakia), on a background of stylized rocks. The year mark and the name of the country ‘SLOVENSKO’ are engraved along the edge of the inner circle, respectively on the left and right hand sides. The mintmark and the initials IŘ of the artist Ivan Řehák appear on both sides at the bottom of the double cross.

The outer ring of the coin shows the twelve stars of the European flag.

Edge lettering of the 2-euro coin: SLOVENSKÁ REPUBLIKA, followed by three symbols (star — linden leaf — star).

(1)  Council Decision of 8 July 2008 in accordance with Article 122(2) of the Treaty on the adoption by Slovakia of the single currency on 1 January 2009 (OJ L 195, 24.7.2008, p. 24).

(2)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1, OJ C 254, 20.10.2006, p. 6 and OJ C 248, 23.10.2007, p. 8 for a reference to the other euro coins.

(3)  See OJ C 225, 19.9.2006, p. 7.