Portugal

The very first royal seal of 1134. Inspired by the origins of the history of Portugal and designed by Vítor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos. It shows a seal of Afonso Henriques, first king of Portugal (1109-1185), encircled by castles and coats of arms.

The very first royal seal of 1134. Inspired by the origins of the history of Portugal and designed by Vítor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos. It shows a seal of Afonso Henriques, first king of Portugal (1109-1185), encircled by castles and coats of arms.

The very first royal seal of 1134. Inspired by the origins of the history of Portugal and designed by Vítor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos. It shows a seal of Afonso Henriques, first king of Portugal (1109-1185), encircled by castles and coats of arms.

The very first royal seal of 1134. Inspired by the origins of the history of Portugal and designed by Vítor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos. It shows a seal of Afonso Henriques, first king of Portugal (1109-1185), encircled by castles and coats of arms.

The very first royal seal of 1134. Inspired by the origins of the history of Portugal and designed by Vítor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos. It shows a seal of Afonso Henriques, first king of Portugal (1109-1185), encircled by castles and coats of arms.

The very first royal seal of 1134. Inspired by the origins of the history of Portugal and designed by Vítor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos. It shows a seal of Afonso Henriques, first king of Portugal (1109-1185), encircled by castles and coats of arms.

The very first royal seal of 1134. Inspired by the origins of the history of Portugal and designed by Vítor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos. It shows a seal of Afonso Henriques, first king of Portugal (1109-1185), encircled by castles and coats of arms.

The very first royal seal of 1134. Inspired by the origins of the history of Portugal and designed by Vítor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos. It shows a seal of Afonso Henriques, first king of Portugal (1109-1185), encircled by castles and coats of arms.

The design shows a set of elements arranged in the shape of a heart, representing a collective hug; around the heart there are 15 circles in symbolic reference to the Olympic rings and to the continents they represent, the tip of the heart shape is surmounted by the coat of arms of Portugal; the centre of the ‘hug’ holds the logo of the Portuguese Olympic Committee, conveying the idea that the hearts of the Portuguese will collectively beat for the Portuguese Olympic team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Below the heart shape, the caption ‘Equipa Olímpica Portugal’, and the year ‘2024’; on the left the mintmark ‘Casa da Moeda’; and on the right the name of the designer. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: July 2024

The 25th of April 1974 is the date of the revolution that marked the establishment of the democratic rule in Portugal and the beginning of a journey of profound economic, social and cultural transformations that led to the Europeanization of the country. At the centre of the design, a carnation symbolizes the revolution, surrounded by multiple eccentric circles that suggest that people’s actions and beliefs may change over the years, but remain essentially true to the principles of the revolution. On the edge, on the right, the verse ‘Esta é a madrugada que eu esperava’ [This is the dawn I have been waiting for], and the name of its author, poet ‘Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen’; and on the left by the national coat of arms, the captions ‘Portugal’ and ‘25 April 1974_2024’, followed by the name of the designer and the mintmark ‘Casa da Moeda’, the name of the Portuguese Mint. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: April 2024

The World Youth Day (WYD) was held in Lisbon in august 2023. WYD is a worldwide encounter of young people, who want to take part in a festive gathering with the Pope and with hundreds of thousands of other youths who share the same universal principles of peace, union and fraternity all around the world. The design depicts the Pilgrim Cross, a set of human-like figures of different sizes and textures displayed as in a globe. At the bottom, two hands envelop the whole in a welcoming gesture of the inclusion and universality that is implied in this gathering. On the top edge, two inscriptions read "JORNADA MUNDIAL DA JUVENTUDE" (Portuguese for WORLD YOUTH DAY) and "LISBOA 2023". On the bellow edge, the coat of arms of Portugal, the inscription "PORTUGAL", the mintmark "CASA DA MOEDA" (the name of the Portuguese Mint) and the name of the designer "JOÃO DUARTE". The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: July 2023

The coin is dedicated to Peace among nations and to friendly and mutually beneficial coexistence. The search for peace must sit on a collective effort towards a common purpose. In the current highly polarized geopolitical context, this coin is aimed to help remind of the urgence to protect the priceless asset that is peace. The design radially displays the word "PAZ" (PEACE) in the 16 official idioms spoken in all 20 countries of the Euro Zone as of January 2023. The inscription at the top reads "PORTUGAL", followed by the year of issuance "2023" at the top right; at the top left is the name of the designer "José S. Teixeira" and at the left the mintmark "CASA DA MOEDA", the name of the Portuguese Mint. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: November 2023

Common issue

The design is a mix of two major elements of the Erasmus programme: the original intellectual inspiration, Erasmus himself, and the allegory of its influence over Europe.

The first one is symbolised by one of the most known depiction of Erasmus.

The second one is symbolised by a beam of links going across the coin from a beacon to another, representing the numerous intellectual and human exchanges between the European students.

As a reference to Europe, some of these links form other stars, born from the synergy between the countries.

The figure 35, for 35th anniversary comes out from the stars in a contemporary graphical style.

The outer ring depicts the twelve stars of the European flag.

Issued date: July 2022

This crossing was achieved by using only internal means of navigation: a modified sextant and a course corrector. The design shows the representation of one of the three Fairey III biplanes that were used to accomplish the flight between Lisboa and Rio de Janeiro. The edge inscription reads ‘TRAVESSIA DO ATLÂNTICO SUL’ (English – CROSSING OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC). Below the plane, the inscription ‘PORTUGAL 1922-2022’. The Mintmark will be ‘CASA DA MOEDA’, the Portuguese name of the Mint. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: March 2022

The design depicts the representation of the link between the capital of Portugal and the others European capitals and thereby draw a map, within the lettering ‘PRESIDÊNCIA DO CONSELHO DA UNIÃO EUROPEIA PORTUGAL 2021’ (English – PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION PORTUGAL 2021).

The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: January 2021

The design depicts the Portuguese Olympic Committee symbols. The design had earned the Council’s approval in 2020 as it was initially intended to be issued in mid-2020. However, Casa da Moeda and the Olympic Committee have agreed to postpone its issuance in accordance to the Games new calendar from July 23 to August 8, 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For that reason a few design details on the lettering have been updated, specifically the abbreviated two-digit format for the year 2020 (by using an apostrophe: ‘Tóquio’20’) followed by the year of issuance 2021, and finally the author’s name that appears next to the Mintmark.

The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: May 2021

At the center of the coin the stylized bell tower of the University of Coimbra and a visual composition of different triangles representing the numerous roofs of the university buildings; between the triangles the inscription "UNIVERSIDADE DE COIMBRA 730 ANOS"; on the right the name of the author José João de Brito "Esc. J. J. BRITO" and the mint sign "CASA DA MOEDA"; below the words "PORTUGAL 2020". On the outer edge 12 five-pointed stars representing the European Union.

Issued date: September 2020

The design depicts the UN logo. At the top is the year of issuance ‘2020’, the name of the issuing country ‘PORTUGAL’ and the inscription ‘UN 75 YEARS’. Under the words ‘UN’ and ‘YEARS’ is their translation in Portuguese ‘ONU’ and ‘ANOS’. At the left side is the name of the mint ‘CASA DA MOEDA’ and at the right side is the engraver’s name ‘ANDRÉ LETRIA’.

Issued date: October 2020

The Spanish expedition to the East Indies began in 1519 and ended in 1522, resulting in the first circumnavigation of the Earth. The design bears the effigy of Fernão de Magalhães. At the right side, in semicircle, is the inscription ‘CIRCUM NAVEGAÇÃO’ (circumnavigation) and underneath the inscription ‘1519 FERNÃO DE MAGALHÃES’. At the left side, in semicircle, is the year of issuance ‘2019’ and the name of the issuing country ‘PORTUGAL’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: May 2019

The event, known as the first Portuguese territorial discovery, marked a historic milestone in the consolidation of Portugal as a maritime power and gave rise to the Portuguese Age of Discoveries (1418-1522). The design bears the Madeira Archipelago and the island of Porto Santo. In semicircle are the inscriptions ‘600 anos do Descobrimento da Madeira e do Porto Santo’ and ‘PORTUGAL 2019’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: June 2019

The design displays the inscription "1768-2018 IMPRENSA NACIONAL DUZENTOS E CINQUENTA 250 ANOS PORTUGAL MMXVIII" as if the letters and numbers were books displayed in a library. At the bottom of the inner ring there is the name of the artist "Eduardo Aires" at the left side and the mintmark "INCM" at the right side. The Official Printing Works are responsible with the publication of the Portuguese Official Journal containing all the legislative activity of the country, books of the highest cultural relevance, and other cultural activities. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: May 2018

The design shows a very old Dracaena tree that is in the Ajuda Botanical Garden premises and is a symbol of the garden. The Ajuda Botanical Garden is a Technological Support Unit of the Agronomy University. It plays the role of an infrastructure for education and research but is also open to the public. It was the first botanical garden in Portugal projected to preserve, study and collect the most numerous possible species from the plant world. At the top of the design, from left to right, in semi-circle, there is the inscription "250 ANOS JARDIM BOTÂNICO DA AJUDA". At the bottom, from left to right, in semi-circle, there is the isncription "PORTUGAL 2018". Right underneath the image of the trees, at the left side, there are the initials of the artist "J. FAZENDA" and at the right side the mintmark "INCM". The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: July 2018

The design shows human figures and buildings, symbolic representations of citizens and cities, where the public security is mainly assured and the simplified police symbol. The legends include the year "1867" and the year of issue "2017", the country of issue "PORTUGAL", the subject of commemoration ("SEGURANÇA PÚBLICA" - Public Security), the three main issues related to citizenship ("DIREITOS", "LIBERDADES" e "GARANTIAS" - Rights, Freedoms and Warranties), and the author’s name JOSÉ DE GUIMARÃES. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: July 2017

The design shows the face of Raul Brandão. At the left side is the inscription RAUL BRANDÃO and underneath the years "1867" and "2017". At the bottom right is the inscription of the country of issuance "PORTUGAL" and at the top right is the name of the author "LUIS FILIPE DE ABREU" followed by the mintmark "INCM". The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: October 2017

The design depicts a visual composition based on the well-known work of art signed by the author, Mrs. Joanna Vasconcelos, the "Heart of Viana", inspired by traditional jewelry from the North of Portugal (around the city of Viana do Castelo). It symbolizes the support of the Portuguese people to the national team by the occasion of the Games. At the left and the right, in semi-circle, are the inscriptions "JOANA VASCONCELOS" and "EQUIPA OLIMPICA DE PORTUGAL 2016", respectively. At the bottom is the mintmark "INCM".

Issued date: May 2016

The design depicts the image of the bridge. At the top right is the inscription "PORTUGAL". At the bottom right are the inscriptions "PONTE", "25 DE ABRIL", "1966" and "2016", one below the other. At the bottom left is the mintmark "INCM" and at the bottom centre is the name of the designer "JOSÉ AURÉLIO". The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: July 2016

The design depicts a visual composition based on the well-known cross, symbol of the organisation, replicated several times to represent the expansion of the humanitarian action both in Portugal and abroad. The contour of a hand in the background symbolises the different kinds of help given to people by the organisation, mostly medical help, but also cooperating, constructing and supporting. On the left side, in a semi-circle, is the inscription "CRUZ VERMELHA PORTUGUESA". At the top, is the Coat of Arms and the name of the issuing country "PORTUGAL" and at the bottom, the years "1865" and "2015". The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: April 2015

Common issue

Twelve stars that morph into human figures are embracing the birth of a new Europe. The design shows the EU flag as a symbol that unites people and cultures with shared visions and ideals for a better common future.

Issued date: November 2015

The design depicts a XVI Century ship, representing the arrival of the Portuguese navigators to the island, and a local house thatched roof top, including the typical wood sculptures, permanent memories of myths and legends. The one depicted on the coin represents the history of the first inhabitants, who arrived by boat from other parts of the Asian continent and the importance of the horse to travel around the steep mountains which cover most of the island. At the top right, the year "1515" and the name of the issuing country "PORTUGAL". At the bottom left, the inscription "TIMOR" and the year "2015". At the bottom, the signature of the artist Fernando Fonseca. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: July 2015

On the central part of the design are represented tools typically used in the traditional agriculture, together with farming products: a chicken in the center, surrounded by pumpkins, a basket of potatoes, and other vegetables and flowers. On the left side, in semi-circle, the subject of the commemoration 'AGRICULTURA FAMILIAR' (Family Farming) and on the right side, in semi-circle, the name of the issuing country 'PORTUGAL' followed by the year of issuance '2014'. At the bottom left the mintmark 'INCM'. The coin's outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: October 2014

The two curves represent the general shape of a carnation, the flower symbolizing the movement, which was also the origin of the revolution's name. The name of the issuing country 'PORTUGAL' and the Coat of Arms are inscribed on the top of the flower. The center of the image shows the date of the event '25 DE ABRIL' (25 April) and at the bottom is written the number of years past since the revolution '40 ANOS'(40 years) and the year of issuance '2014'. The shape of the letters and numbers is inspired on those used in posters and other political information supports 40 years ago, as a symbol of the euphoric period lived right after the event. The coin's outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issued date: April 2014

The tower is depicted as it is seen by people standing close to it on the street. It is shown as part of the Oporto skyline, as seen from south bank of the Douro River.

Issued date: June 2013

Common issue

The Euro-sign in the centre of the coin shows that the Euro has become an element of particular importance in Europe as well all over the world as the Euro evolved to a global player in the international monetary system in the last 10 years. The design elements around the Euro-symbol on the coin express the importance of the Euro to the people, to the financial world (ECB tower), to trading (ships), to industry (factories), to the energy sector and research and development (wind power stations). The initials AH of the artist appear under the image of the ECB tower. The name(s) of the issuing country in the national language(s) appear(s) at the top, while the indication 2002-2012 appears at the bottom.

Issued date: February 2012

The coin depicts the first Portuguese King, his sword and the Castle of Guimarães. It is here that it Portugal is considered to have become an independent nation in the XII century.

Issued date: June 2012

The coin commemorates the 500th anniversary of the birth of Fernão Mendes Pinto, the Portuguese explorer of the Asian seas and countries. "Peregrinação" (Pilgrimage), his book on discoveries and adventures was published posthumously. The inner part of the coin depicts a sailing ship on several wave shaped inscriptions referring to Portugal, Lisbon, his book and some of his travel destinations. The inscriptions "Portugal" appears underneath. His name combined with the years 1511 and 2011 appear on top of the inner part. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European Union flag.

Issued date: November 2011

The coin commemorates the 100th anniversary of the end of the constitutional monarchy of King Manuel II and the establishment of the Portuguese First Republic further to the 5 October 1910 revolution.

Issued date: September 2010

Common issue

The centre of the coin shows a stylised human figure whose left arm is prolonged by the euro symbol. The initials ΓΣ of the artist appear below the euro symbol. The name(s) of the issuing country in the national language(s) appear(s) at the top, while the indication 1999-2009 and the acronym EMU translated into the national language(s) appear at the bottom.

Issued date: January 2009

The coin was issued on the occasion of the 2nd Lusophone Games (2.os Jogos da Lusophonia, Lisbon, 11-19 July 2009) with the participation of twelve Portuguese-speaking countries. The inner part of the coin depicts a gymnast swirling a long ribbon. At the top, the Portuguese coat of arms appears within a semi-circle formed by the name of the issuing country ‘PORTUGAL’.

Issued date: June 2009

The inner part of the coin shows the Portuguese coat of arms at the top, above the name of the issuing country (‘PORTUGAL’), the year mark ‘2008’ and a geometric design in the bottom half of the centre. The legend ‘60 ANOS DA DECLARAÇÃO UNIVERSAL DOS DIREITOS HUMANOS’ runs along the edge of the bottom two thirds of the inner ring and is followed by the inscription ‘Esc. J. Duarte INCM’ in very small characters.

Issued date: September 2008

Common issue

The coin shows the treaty with the signatures of the six founding countries on a background evoking the paving – designed by Michelangelo – of the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome, where the Treaty was signed on 25 March 1957, giving birth to the modern-day European Union.

Issued date: March 2007

In 2007 Portugal issued an additional commemorative coin on the occasion of the rotating presidency of the EU, from July to December 2007. The coin shows a cork oak (Quercus suber) and the Portuguese coat of arms under its branches, together with the word ‘Portugal’ and the legend ‘2007 Presidência do Concelho da UE’ (2007 Presidency of the Council of the EU).

Issued date: June 2007