New national side of euro coins intended for circulation
(2020/C 210/05)
National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by the Republic of San Marino
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 authorised 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: Republic of San Marino
Subject of commemoration: 500th anniversary of the death of Raphael
Description of the design: The design reproduces the profile of the Virgin Mary, which is part of the Madonna di Casa Santi fresco, the first masterpiece by a very young Raphael painted in the family home in Urbino, which now houses the prestigious Accademia Raffaello. The fresco depicts the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus on her lap and is imbued with the delicacy of the intimacy between mother and son, a recurring theme in Raphael’s artistic works. In the top right of the coin, there is the name of the issuing country ‘SAN MARINO’ and the years ‘1520’ and ‘2020’. At the bottom is the inscription ‘RAFFAELLO’, on the right the initials of the designer Annalisa Masini ‘AM’, and on the left the letter ‘R’, indicating the Mint of Rome.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: 54 000
Date of issue: March/April 2020
(1) See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 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, p. 52).