New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

(2016/C 396/02)

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 : Greece

Subject of commemoration : 150 years from the Arkadi Monastery Torching

Description of the design : The design features the Arkadi Monastery. Inscribed, at centre, is the wording ‘ARKADI MONASTERY’ and along the inner edge at left ‘HELLENIC REPUBLIC’, in Greek. Visible at upper right is the year of issuance ‘2016’ and below the central inscription a palmette (the mintmark of the Greek Mint). Inscribed at lower right is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos).

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

Number of coins to be issued : max 750 000

Date of issue : 4th trimester of 2016

(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).