National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Portugal

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: Portugal

Subject of commemoration: World Youth Day

Description of the design: The World Youth Day (WYD) was held in Lisbon in august 2023. WYD is a worldwide encounter of young people, who want to take part in a festive gathering with the Pope and with hundreds of thousands of other youths who share the same universal principles of peace, union and fraternity all around the world.

The design depicts the Pilgrim Cross, a set of human-like figures of different sizes and textures displayed as in a globe. At the bottom, two hands envelop the whole in a welcoming gesture of the inclusion and universality that is implied in this gathering. On the top edge, two inscriptions read ‘JORNADA MUNDIAL DA JUVENTUDE’ (Portuguese for WORLD YOUTH DAY) and ‘LISBOA 2023’. On the bellow edge, the coat of arms of Portugal, the inscription ‘PORTUGAL’, the mintmark ‘CASA DA MOEDA’ (the name of the Portuguese Mint) and the name of the designer ‘JOÃO DUARTE’.

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

Estimated number of coins to be issued: 1 015 000

Date of issue: July 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).