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Commemorative 2 euro coin of the Portuguese Republic, issued on 1 July 2007 in a circulation of 1,530,000 copies. Dedicated to the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU. Minted at Imprensa Nacional - Casa da Moeda (INCM), Lisbon. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts a stylized composition - a cork tree (Quercus suber), one of the symbols of Portugal, the largest cork producer in the world. In the background - a map of Europe. Above - "PRESIDÊNCIA DO CONSELHO DA UNIÃO EUROPEIA", below - "PORTUGAL 2007". On the outer ring are the 12 five-pointed stars of the European Union.
Reverse
The reverse is the common side of the 2 euro coins of the first type, designed by Luc Luix (Royal Belgian Mint). It depicts a map of the enlarged European Union with stylized lines below the map. On the left is a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO". On the outer ring are the 12 five-pointed stars of the EU. The edge is finely fluted and features five shields alternating with the seven locks of the Portuguese coat of arms.
Historical context
The Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union is the third in the country's history (after 1992 and 2000), and lasted from 1 July to 31 December 2007. The motto of the Presidency is "A Stronger Europe for a Better World". Among the main achievements: the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon (13 December 2007 at the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon) - a reformed treaty that replaced the rejected European Constitution of 2004; the organization of the EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon (8-9 December 2007); the EU-Brazil Summit in Lisbon; the signing of the Reform Treaty. The Treaty of Lisbon entered into force on 1 December 2009, becoming the founding document of the modern EU, introducing the European Council under the vote, the positions of President of the European Council and High Representative. Portugal became a full member of the European Communities on 1 January 1986, together with Spain. It adopted the euro on 1 January 1999 as one of the 11 founding countries of the eurozone.