New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

2009/C 116/08

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), the Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the Community 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: 2nd Lusophone Games

Description of the design: The inner part of the coin depicts a gymnast swirling a long ribbon. At the top, the Portuguese coat of arms appears within a semi-circle formed by the name of the issuing country ‘PORTUGAL’. In a semi-circle at the bottom the legend ‘2.os JOGOS DA LUSOFONIA LISBOA’ is inscribed between the initials ‘INCM’ on the left and the artist's name ‘J. AURÉLIO’ on the right. The year ‘2009’ appears above the gymnast's head, to the left.

The coin's outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag, on a background of concentric circular lines.

Number of coins to be issued:

Date of issue: June 2009

(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 Recommandation 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).