New national side of euro coins intended for circulation
(2023/C 122/04)
National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Italy
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: Italy
Subject of commemoration: The 150th anniversary of the death of Alessandro Manzoni
Description of the design: The design features the half-length portrait of Alessandro Manzoni, inspired by the image of the Italian writer as depicted on the 100 000 lire banknote issued in 1967. On the left, ‘RI’, acronym of the Italian Republic, the dates ‘1873-2023’, the year of the death of the writer and the year of the coin’s issue, respectively, and the arch-shaped inscription ‘ALESSANDRO MANZONI’. On the right, ‘R’, identifying the Mint of Rome, and ‘AV’, initials of the designer Antonio Vecchio.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 3 000 000
Date of issue: January 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).