2 euro PORTUGAL (2012) Guimarães - European Capital of Culture

in the coin centre simplified drawing of the head of King Alfonso I and his sword; in the right background simplified castle in Guimaraes; below in two lines: GUIMARÃES and year of issue: 2012; lower the logo of European Capital of Culture celebrations; on the left side of the coin the shield from Portuguese Coat of Arms; below: PORTUGAL; at the edge a ring of twelve five-pointed stars - symbol of the European Union

left from the centre face value: 2, on the right inscription: EURO; in the background of the inscription a map of Europe; in the background of the map vertically six parallel lines ending on both sides with five-pointed stars (the reverse is common for all euro coins)

reeded with concave seven castles and five shields from Portuguese Coat of Arms:

21 VI 2012

circulating

José de Guimarães (signature JOSÉ DE GUIMARÃES along the bottom edge of the obverse), Luc Luycx (initials LL below letter 'O' in EURO on the reverse)

Imprensa Nacional - Casa da Moeda (National Press - The Mint), Lisbon (mint mark INCM before sword's hilt along the bottom edge of the obverse)

2012

500 000

+ 10 000 in boxed sets

Since 1985 European Union Council designates a town to be called European Capital of Culture for a period of a calendar year. In 2012, Guimaraes together with Maribor, Slovenia were holding this prestigious title. European Union assigns for the chosen towns special funds, which can be spent for advertising cultural achievements of the city, the region or the country. The money helps to extend the offer of international meetings, concerts or festivals therefore boosting fame of the chosen towns.
City of Guimaraes is now known as the cradle of Portugal. It is because most likely here was born the first king of Portugal, Alfonso I the Conqueror, and this is where the first administrative centre was established on Portuguese lands captured from the Moors during the Reconquista. The historic town centre was placed on the UNESCO world heritage list in 2001.

Statue of King Alfonso I of Portugal in Guimaraes. In the background characteristic battlements on the tower of the Guimaraes castle, whose construction began in 958.


photo: Mario Sánchez Prada; licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0

Battlements crowning the Guimaraes castle walls and King Alfonso's helmet became an inspiration for João Campos - winner of the logo design contest for the celebration of the status of European Capital of Culture Guimarães 2012.