Banco de Portugal Collector coins ‘José Saramago’ and ‘150th Anniversary of the Red Cross’ into circulation from 21 May 2013

Lisbon, 10-6-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Banco de Portugal will put two cupro-nickel-alloy collector coins into circulation from 21 May 2013 with face value of €2.50, called ‘José Saramago’, from the ‘Europa – Escritores Europeus’ (Europe – European writers) series, and ‘150th Anniversary of the Red Cross’.

The coins are distributed to the public through credit institutions and Banco de Portugal’s cash offices.

The ‘José Saramago’ coin is legal tender only in Portugal and shows:

• On the obverse:
  • a stylised representation of a medal, with the words ‘PRÉMIO NOBEL 1998’ (Nobel Prize 1998)
  • an undulating ribbon ending with vertical symmetry by the coin’s edge • the words ‘2013 República Portuguesa’ (2013 Portuguese Republic)
  • as central elements, the face value and the Portuguese coat of arms
• On the reverse:
  • a portrait of José Saramago, whose wavy hair is made up of the titles of some of his literary works
  • the words ‘JOSÉ SARAMAGO’ and ‘ESCRITORES EUROPEUS’ (European writers)
  • the ‘Europa’ series logo

The ‘150th Anniversary of the Red Cross’ coin is legal tender only in Portugal and shows:

• On the obverse:
  • at the top and middle of the coin, the Portuguese coat of arms inlaid in the armillary sphere surrounded by two olive branches
  • at the bottom centre, the face value and the year 2013
  • around the edge, the words ‘REPÚBLICA PORTUGUESA’ (Portuguese Republic)
• On the reverse:
  • in the middle, the words ‘150 anos’ (150 years)
  • at the bottom, with the words ‘CRUZ VERMELHA’ (Red Cross), a cross expanding into another five crosses
  • around the top, the words ‘1863-2013 150 ANOS DA FUNDAÇÃO’ (1863-2013 150th anniversary)

The characteristics of these coins were approved by Executive Order No 142/2013, published in the Official Gazette, Series I – No 66 of 4 April 2013. The issue limit was set at 100,000 coins for each coin with normal finish.

José Saramago

150th Anniversary of the Red Cross

Nota:

Banco de Portugal sells collector coins to the public exclusively through its cash offices (normal finish only).

Those interested in obtaining these coins should fill out the form provided giving the face value and number of collector coins desired.

Banco de Portugal does not reserve coins nor send them by post.