New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

2010/C 256/04

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

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 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 face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

Issuing country: Finland

Subject of commemoration: Currency Decree of 1860 granting Finland the right to issue banknotes and coins

Description of the design: The design shows on the left side a stylised lion figure from the coat of arms of Finland and the year ‘2010’. On the right side, the mintmark and a set of numbers symbolising coin values. At the bottom, the indication of the issuing country reference ‘FI’.

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

Number of coins to be issued: 1,6 million

Date of issue: October 2010

(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).