New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

(2023/C 204/11)

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: The 550th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus

Description of the design: The design depicts a profile portrait of Copernicus, together with a stylized heliocentric representation of the universe as proposed by Copernicus. At the top left is the inscription ‘NICOLAUS COPERNICUS 1473 – 1543’ and at the bottom left is the name of the issuing country ‘MALTA’ followed by the year of issuance ‘2023’. Also at the bottom is the signature of the artist Daniela Fusco ‘FUSCO’.

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

Estimated number of coins to be issued: 95 500

Date of issue: June 2023

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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).