New national side of euro coins intended for circulation
(2019/C 189/09)
National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by France
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 : France
Subject of commemoration : The 60th anniversary of Asterix
Description of the design : For 60 years, Asterix has been a true icon of the French culture. Created in 1959 by scenarist René Goscinny and cartoonist Albert Uderzo, this character embodies the Frenchman with his smartness and sharpness through the Gallic identity. Apart from its artistic line, depicting contemporary society with humour has brought Asterix a great international fame for many years. Since its inception, it has been translated into all the languages of the European Union meeting a huge success. The reputation of Asterix is for example as strong in Germany as in France. It has also been very well established in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Scandinavia for many years. Beyond the French icon, Asterix has become a true figure of the European 9th art.
The design represents Asterix in profile wearing his famous winged helmet. He is surrounded by laurels and Roman inscriptions referring to his 60 years. At the top is the inscription ‘ASTERIX’ and underneath the indication of the issuing country ‘RF’ (standing for République Française). The year of issuance ‘2019’ is inscribed at the bottom, together with the French mintmark and mintmaster mark.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued : 310 000 coins
Date of issue :
28 May 2019(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).