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Commemorative coin of 2 euros of Portugal, issued in 2012 with a circulation of 520,000 copies. A common coin of all 17 countries of the euro zone in honor of the 10th anniversary of euro banknotes and coins. The author of the joint design is Helmut Andexinger. It was minted at INCM, Lisbon. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Overse
In the center of the coin is a stylized euro symbol "€", surrounded by elements of the economy: a building, a bridge, a ship, factory pipes, wind turbines, and figures of people. In the background is a globe. At the top is "PORTUGAL", on both sides are the years "2002-2012". 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 castles - motifs of the Portuguese coat of arms.
Historical context
The euro is the official currency of the European Union, created on January 1, 1999 as a non-cash currency, and introduced into circulation as banknotes and coins on January 1, 2002 in 12 countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. For the first few weeks of 2002, national currencies circulated in parallel with the euro. Portugal exchanged its national escudo (PTE) for the euro at a rate of 1 euro = 200.482 escudos. The transition to the euro was a difficult challenge for the Portuguese economy, but it also signaled the country's full integration into the European space. In 2012, the euro area consisted of 17 countries. The design of the coin was chosen through an online vote by EU citizens on the European Commission website (over 34,000 votes) - this was the first such precedent.