New national side of euro coins intended for circulation
(2020/C 256/02)
National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by France
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 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: France
Subject of commemoration: Charles de Gaulle
Description of the design: The design represents two profiles of Charles de Gaulle at two different times. The profile in the background shows Charles de Gaulle in army general is uniform during the call to arms of the 18th June 1940 or during the liberation of Paris. The profile in the foreground represents Charles de Gaulle during his second presidential term of office. Finally, the mention RF is semi-integrated in a Lorraine cross, symbol of free France chosen by General de Gaulle in 1940. His dates of birth and death as well as the year date are also inscribed in the Lorraine cross.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: 18 061 940
Date of issue:18 June 2020
(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).