Shopping Cart
Commemorative coin of 2 euros of Portugal, issued in 2009 in a circulation of 1,250,000 copies. Joint issue of 16 eurozone countries in honor of the 10th anniversary of EMU. Author of the joint design — George Stamatopoulos (Bank of Greece). Minted at INCM, Lisbon. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
In the center of the coin is a stylized human figure reaching out to the large euro symbol "€". On the right — "PORTUGAL". Above — "УЕМ 1999-2009". Around the figure — the names of the 16 eurozone countries in lowercase letters. Below — the INCM mark. On the outer ring are the 12 five-pointed stars of the EU.
Reverse
The reverse is the common side of the 2 euro coins of the second type, designed by Luc Luix (Royal Belgian Mint). It depicts a map of Europe as a single continent without internal borders - a symbol of European unity. On the left is a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right is a map with six thin horizontal lines in the background. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the European Union. The band is finely fluted and inscribed with five shields alternating with seven locks - motifs of the Portuguese coat of arms.
Historical context
The Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) of the European Union is a key stage of European integration, completed on 1 January 1999 with the introduction of the common currency, the euro. Formally, the EMU was formed in three stages from 1 July 1990: Stage I - liberalization of capital movements; Stage II (from 1994) - creation of the European Monetary Institute; Stage III (from 1 January 1999) - introduction of the euro. Portugal is one of the 11 founding countries of the eurozone. The Portuguese escudo (PTE) was replaced by the euro at a rate of 1 euro = 200.482 PTE. Banco de Portugal is the national central bank, a member of the Eurosystem. The euro was introduced initially as a non-cash currency, with banknotes and coins introduced on 1 January 2002. Greece joined in 2001, so in 2009 there were 16 countries in the euro area.