Portugal

Three different euro designs were chosen from entries to a national competition. Designer Vítor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos, who drew his inspiration from historical symbols and the seals of the first King of Portugal, Dom Afonso Henriques, won the competition with the following motifs:

EUR 1 and EUR 2 coins: Here the country’s castles and coats of arms are set amid the European stars. This symbolises dialogue, the exchange of values and the dynamics of the building of Europe. The centrepiece is the royal seal of 1144. Edge lettering of the 2 euro coin: five coats of arms and seven castles, all equally spaced.

10, 20 and 50 cent coins: These depict the royal seal of 1142 as the centrepiece of the design.
1, 2 and 5 cent coins: These show the first royal seal, from 1134, along with the word "Portugal".

 

 

EURO COIN VARIATION

2 Euros - Put common face down and look to the edge of the coin.
 Type A
Type B
1 Euro - Put 2 coins side by side and look the diferent stripes number
Type A 3 x 28 stripes on the edge
Type B 3 x 29 stripes on the edge

 

 

MINTAGE OF PORTUGESE STANDARD EURO COINS BY YEAR

 Year

1 cent 2 cents 5 cents 10 cents 20 cents 50 cents 1 Euro 2 Euros
 2002 290.000 340.000 245.000 275.000 145.000 190.000 85.000 50.000