New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

2009/C 196/08

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

Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. The Commission publishes all new euro coin designs with a view to informing all parties required to handle coins in the course of their work as well as the public at large (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), the Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the Community 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 side features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

Issuing country: Italian Republic

Subject of commemoration: Bicentenary of the birth of Louis Braille (1809-1852)

Description of the design: The inner part of the coin depicts a hand reading an open book by touch. Above the index finger, which is pointing at the vertical inscription ‘LOUIS BRAILLE 1809-2009’, are two birds symbolising freedom of knowledge. The issuing country reference, ‘RI’, is at the top right, while the mint mark ‘R’ is at the bottom right. Braille’s name is written under the book in the alphabet that he invented. At the very bottom are the initials ‘MCC’ of the artist Maria Carmela Colanéri.

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

Number of coins to be issued: 2 million

Date of issue: September/October 2009

(1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, pp. 1-30 for the national sides 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, pp. 52-55).