New national side of euro coins intended for circulation
(2023/C 122/02)
National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Lithuania
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: Lithuania
Subject of commemoration: Together with Ukraine
Description of the design: The design features a stylised sunflower in the centre, with petals looking like silhouettes of people holding hands, embracing, protecting each other, embodying unity, support and the power of being together. Using artistic means the sunflower is designed as the rising Sun, the hope of a new beginning, birds, freedom, hope and courage, as people rising above the circumstances, never accepting any imposed will, as an allusion to those who have sacrificed their lives and their departing souls. The composition is surrounded by the inscriptions ‘LIETUVA’ (LITHUANIA), ‘KARTU SU UKRAINA’ (TOGETHER WITH UKRAINE), the year of issue ‘2023’ and the mintmark of the Lithuanian Mint. The coin is designed by Eglė Žemaitė.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 500 000
Date of issue: First quarter of 2023
(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).