17.2.2020   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 53/4


New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

(2020/C 53/04)

Image 1

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: Aukštaitija (from the series Lithuanian Etnographic Regions)

Description of the design: The design features a coat of arms with an armour-clad knight holding a sword in his right hand. The coat of arms is held by two angels, simbolically exalting and protecting Aukštaitija – one of the most important regions of Lithuania and the cradle of its statehood.

Below is a Latin inscription PATRIAM TUAM MUNDUM EXISTIMA (CONSIDER YOUR HOMELAND TO BE THE WHOLE WORLD).

The design is surrounded by inscriptions: ‘LIETUVA’ (the name of the issuing country), ‘AUKŠTAITIJA’, the year of issuance ‘2020’ and the mintmark of the Lithuanian Mint.

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: Third quarter of 2020


(1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, pp. 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).