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Portugal 2 euro commemorative coin, issued on 1 July 2022 in a circulation of 520,000 copies. Joint issue of the euro area countries in honor of the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus program. The author of the joint design is Joaquin Jimenez ('JJ'). Minted at INCM, Lisbon. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
On the national side, in the center of the coin, the profile of the humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam is depicted, focused on writing a text. In the background, numerous lines converging at various points, creating a star pattern. At the bottom, the dates "1987-2022" and the inscription "ERASMUS PROGRAMME". Around - "PORTUGAL". INCM mark. On the outer ring are the 12 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 Erasmus program (European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) is one of the most famous programs of the European Union, launched on June 15, 1987 to stimulate student exchange between European universities. It is named after the Dutch humanist philosopher Erasmus of Rotterdam (c. 1466-1536), who was a "traveling scholar". The idea of the program belongs to the Italian educator Sofia Corradi, who proposed it back in 1969. Since 2014, the program has been merged into the broader Erasmus+, which covers education, youth, sport and vocational training. By 2022, more than 13 million students had participated in the program. Portugal is very active in the program - it is among the countries with the highest percentage of students going abroad to study, especially to Spain, France, Poland, Italy. The University of Coimbra, ISCTE, IST and others actively accept foreign students. In 2022, all eurozone countries issued a common coin.