New national sides of euro circulation coins

(2007/C 248/07)

On 10 July 2007, the Council of the European Union decided that the Republic of Cyprus fulfils the necessary conditions for the adoption of the euro on 1 January 2008 (1).

From 1 January 2008, the Republic of Cyprus 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 Republic of Cyprus with the new common sides of the euro coins (3). The lowest denominations (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: Republic of Cyprus

Start of issuing: January 2008

Description of the designs:

1 EURO CENT — 2 EURO CENT — 5 EURO CENT

The centre of the coin depicts a couple of moufflons, the most characteristic species of the country's wildlife. Flanking the year mark, the name of the island in Greek and Turkish is engraved in a semicircle on the right hand side above the animals: ‘ΚΥΠΡΟΣ 2008 KIBRIS’. The image and the inscription are surrounded by the twelve stars of the European flag.

10 EURO CENT — 20 EURO CENT — 50 EURO CENT

The centre of the coin depicts the ship of Kyrenia (4th century B.C.) representing the island's relationship with the sea and its importance in trade and maritime activities. Flanking the year mark, the name of the island in Greek and Turkish is engraved in a semicircle on the right hand side above the ship: ‘ΚΥΠΡΟΣ 2008 KIBRIS’. The image and the inscription are surrounded by the twelve stars of the European flag.

1 EURO — 2 EURO

The inner circle of the coin depicts a cross-shaped idol dating back to the chalcolithic period (3000 B.C.), from the village of Pomos which is a characteristic example of Cypriot prehistoric art. The name of the island in Greek and Turkish ‘ΚΥΠΡΟΣ KIBRIS’ is engraved in an interrupted semicircle on each upper side of the idol. The year mark 2008 appears on the bottom right hand side. The twelve stars of the European flag are positioned on the outer ring of the coin.

Edge lettering of the 2-euro coin: ‘2 ΕΥΡΩ 2 EURO’ repeated twice.

(1)  Council Decision of 10 July 2007 in accordance with Article 122(2) of the Treaty on the adoption by Cyprus of the single currency on 1 January 2008 (OJ L 186, 18.7.2007, p. 29).

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

(3)  See OJ C 225, 19.9.2006, p. 7.