New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

(2020/C 380/04)

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

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: Malta

Subject of commemoration: Children’s games

Description of the design: The design depicts a melange of traditional games popular with Maltese children. These include marbles, spinning tops and traditional kite-making and flying. Depicted is also a Maltese version of hop-scotch which is known locally as ‘passju’. Three bees flying in a circle allude to a popular chant sung by Maltese children during play. Included in the design is the name of the issuing country, ‘Malta’, and the year of issue, ‘2020’.

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

Number of coins to be issued: 220 000

Date of issue: October 2020

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(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).