New national side of euro circulation coins

(2007/C 110/06)

Euro circulation coins have legal tender status throughout the euro area. The Commission publishes all new euro coin designs (1) with a view to informing all parties required to handle coins in the course of their work and the public at large. In accordance with the Council conclusions of 8 December 2003 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a Monetary Agreement with the Community providing for the issuance of euro circulation coins are allowed to issue certain quantities of commemorative euro circulation coins on condition that not more than one new coin design is issued per country per year and that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the technical features of normal euro circulation coins, but bear a commemorative design on the national side.

Issuing State: Portugal

Subject of commemoration: Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Factual description of the design: The inner part of the coin shows a cork oak (Quercus Suber). Under the branches, on the left hand side, the Portuguese coat of arms; on the right hand side, the word ‘POR TU GAL ’written on three lines. The legend ‘2007 PRESIDÊNCIA DO CONSELHO DA UE ’is inscribed in a semi-circle along the bottom of the inner part, with the artist signature (I Vilar) on the left and the mintmark (INCM) near the Coat of Arms. The outer ring of the coin depicts the twelve stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 2 million coins

Approximate issuing date: July 2007

Edge lettering: five coats of arms and seven castles equally spaced.

(1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for a reference to all national sides that were issued in 2002.

(2)  See conclusions of the General Affairs Council of 8 December 2003 on changes in the design of national sides of euro coins. See also Commission Recommendation of 29 September 2003 on a common practice for changes to the design of national obverse sides of euro circulation coins (OJ L 264, 15.10.2003, p. 38).