New national side of euro coins intended for circulation
(2022/C 484/09)
National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Spain
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: Spain
Subject of commemoration: The 5th centennary of the first circumnavigation of the Earth
Description of the design: The expedition began in Seville in 1519 and ended in 1522 after finishing the first circumnavigation of the Earth. The design depicts two images, one is the globe in the background and the other one is a portrait of Juan Sebastián Elcano. At the bottom of the portrait and in capital letters the legends ‘JUAN SEBASTIÁN ELCANO’ and ‘PRIMUS CIRCUMDEDISTI ME’ (First to circumnavigate me), and on the portrait shoulder is the initial and the end date of the circumnavigation (1519-1522). On the right hand side and in capital letters are the issuing country ‘ESPAÑA’ and the year of minting ‘2022’. On the left hand side is the mint mark.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 1 000 000
Date of issue: First quarter 2022
(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).