200 escudos PORTUGAL (1994) Lisbon - European Capital of Culture

above the centre a shield over an armillary sphere - Portuguese Coat of Arms; below in two lines face value: 200 / ESCUDOS; along the top edge: REPUBLICA PORTUGUESA (Republic of Portugal); along the bottom edge year of issue: 1994

in the centre the Belém Tower; below it waves; above in two lines: LISBOA / 94; w górnym otoku: CAPITAL EUROPEIA DA CULTURA (European Capital of Culture)

seven sections plain and seven reeded

19 V 1994

28 II 2002

José Cândido (signature J.CANDIDO after 1994 on the obverse), Isabel Carriço and Fernando Branco (signatures ISABEL C. - F.BRANCO at lower edge of the reverse)

Imprensa Nacional - Casa da Moeda (National Press - The Mint), Lisbon (mint mark INCM below CULTURA on the reverse)

1994

980 000

+ 20 000 in annual sets

Since 1985 European Union Council designates a town to be called European Capital of Culture for a period of a calendar year. In 1994 it was Portuguese Lisboa 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.

Torre de Belém - the most famous tower in Lisboa.


photo: Zero; licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0