New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

2011/C 85/05

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

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: Italy

Subject of commemoration: The 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy

Description of the design: The inner part of the coin shows, at the centre, three Italian flags in the wind, representing the three past 50th anniversaries — 1911, 1961 and 2011 — which illustrate a perfect link between generations: this is the logo of the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy. At the top, the inscription ‘150o DELL’UNITA’ D’ITALIA’ (150th anniversary of the unification of Italy); at the right, the initials of the issuing country ‘RI’ (Republic of Italy); at the bottom, the dates ‘1861 › 2011 › ›’; under the dates, at the centre, the mintmark ‘R’ and at the right, the initials of the artist Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini and the first three letters of the Italian name of his profession (incisore) ‘ELF INC.’

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

Volume of issuance: 10 million coins

Date of issue: March 2011

(1)  For the other national sides of euro circulation coins, see http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/cash/coins/index_en.htm

(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).