New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

(2021/C 104/04)

National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Lithuania

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: Lithuania

Subject of commemoration: UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme - Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve

Description of the design: The design depicts the characteristic surroundings of Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve, which belongs to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme: remote islands of a unique bird lake and Lithuania’s largest wetland as well as its distinctive animals.

In the foreground there is a great bittern reaching for a fire-bellied toad floating in the water. In rushes depicted on the right there is an aquatic warbler, above – a flock of common cranes and a mute swan, symbolising the establishment of the Reserve.

The design is surrounded by inscriptions LIETUVA (LITHUANIA), ŽUVINTAS, UNESCO, the year of issue (2021) and the mintmark of the Lithuanian Mint.

The design is realised by Eglė Ratkutė and Ernestas Žemaitis.

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

Estimated number of coins to be issued: 500 000

Date of issue: Second quarter of 2021

(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).