Spain has a new 2 euro coin. To commemorate the Spanish presidency of the Council of the EU, in the second half of the year, 1.5 million units of a special currency have been issued since June 1, according to the Official Journal of the European Union.
The big difference is seen on the national side, since the common side, where the value is indicated, is the same. The motif consists of two images. The first, the largest, is the logo of the Spanish presidency of the Council of the EU. Around it are read the legends "Spain 2023 - Spanish Presidency", in the upper half, and "Council of the European Union", in the lower half. The second image is the mint mark of the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre - Real Casa de la Moneda. It's at the bottom, with a crowned M.
To complete the design, the circular crown of the coin consists of the twelve stars of the European flag.
It is only allowed to mint 2 euro commemorative coins, which have the same legal value as the rest of the series in each country. As reported by the European Central Bank (ECB) on its website, each country that uses the euro can issue two commemorative coins each year. "These coins have the same characteristics, properties and common side as the other 2-euro coins. What sets them apart is the commemorative motif that appears on their national side," it is reported.
The ECB must authorize the maximum volume of coins that can be issued, in this case 1.5 million.
Exceptionally, a third commemorative coin can be issued in a year if it is jointly with the rest of the members of the euro zone, as has happened in the past with the coin for the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus program (2022) or the 30th anniversary of the EU flag (2015), for example.
In the case of Spain, this year the other commemorative coin announced is that of the old town of Cáceres, of which 1.5 million coins will be issued.
