NEW NATIONAL SIDE OF EURO CIRCULATION COINS

(2004/C 243/05)

National side of the new 2 euro commemorative circulation coin issued by Luxembourg

Euro circulation coins have legal tender status throughout the euro area. With a view to informing the parties professionally handling coins and the public at large, the Commission publishes all new euro coin designs (1). In accordance with the relevant Council conclusions of 8 December 2003 (2), Member States are allowed to issue certain quantities of commemorative euro circulation coins under the condition that only one such coin is issued per Member State and per year and that the EUR 2 denomination is used. These coins correspond to the technical features of normal euro circulation coins, but bear a commemorative feature on the obverse national side.

1.   Member State: Luxembourg

2.   Commemorative feature: effigy and monogram of Grand-Duke Henri

3.   Factual description of the design: the coin depicts on the left hand of the inner part the effigy of His Royal Highness, the Grand-Duke Henri, looking to the right, and on the right hand the monogram of the Grand-Duke Henri (special letter ‘H’ topped with a crown). The 12 stars appear in semi-circular form at the right of the monogram. The year 2004, surrounded by the mint mark as well as the engraver's initials, and the word LËTZEBUERG are written in circular form at the top of the ring. The words ‘HENRI — Grand-Duc de Luxembourg’ appear at the bottom of the ring.

4.   Issuing volume: maximum 2,49 million coins

5.   Approximate issuing date:

(1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for a reference to all national sides that have been issued up until now.

(2)  See conclusions of the General Affairs Council of 8 December 2003 on changes in the design of national sides of euro coins. See also Commission Recommendation of 29 September 2003 on a common practice for changes to the design of national obverse sides of euro circulation coins (OJ L 264, 15.10.2003, p. 38).