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obverse
reverse
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2 Euro – Portugal

Circulating commemorative coins
Commemoration: World Youth Day - Lisbon 2023
Portugal
Context
Year: 2023
Issuer: Portugal Issuer flag
Period:
(since 1974)
Currency:
(since 2002)
Total mintage: 1,014,975
Material
Diameter: 25.75 mm
Weight: 8.5 g
Thickness: 2.2 mm
Shape: Round
Composition: Bimetallic (Nickel brass center, Copper-nickel ring)
Technique: Milled
Alignment: Medal alignment
Obverse
OBVERSE ↑
flip
Reverse
REVERSE ↑
References
KM: #Click to copy to clipboard943
Numista: #368994
Value
Exchange value: 2 EUR = $2.36
Inflation-adjusted value: 2.13 EUR

Obverse

Description:
The coin's center features the pilgrim cross within a globe shape, embraced by two hands below. "Portugal" is inscribed at the center, with "Jornada Mundial da Juventude Lisboa 2023" on the upper ring. The lower left shows the Portuguese shield, the right bears "Casa da Moeda" and the author's name, and the outer ring displays the 12 stars of the European flag.
Inscription:
JORNADA MUNDIAL DA JUVENTUDE

LISBOA 2023

PORTUGAL

CASA DA MOEDA - JOÃO DUARTE
Translation:
World Youth Day

Lisbon 2023

Portugal

Mint House - João Duarte
Script: Latin
Language: Portuguese
Designer: João Duarte

Reverse

Description:
A Western Europe map spans the coin's right side, with "2 EURO" overlaid—the "2" in the Atlantic. Twelve stars flank the map, six above and six below, connected by six vertical stripes across the inner core.
Inscription:
2 EURO

LL
Script: Latin
Designer: Luc Luycx

Edge

Finely reeded with inscription: seven castles and five coats of arms

Categories

Map
Symbol> Hand
Symbol> Cross


Mintings

YearMint MarkMintageQualityCollection
20231,000,000
20237,487BU
20237,488Proof

Historical background

In 2023, Portugal's currency situation was defined by its continued and stable membership in the Eurozone, using the euro (€) as its sole legal tender. As a member of the European Union's single currency, Portugal's monetary policy was set by the European Central Bank (ECB), which focused aggressively on combating high inflation throughout the year. The ECB's successive interest rate hikes aimed to cool the euro area economy, directly influencing borrowing costs, credit availability, and economic activity within Portugal. This shared monetary framework meant Portugal benefited from currency stability and deep financial integration but had no independent lever to address domestic economic conditions through interest rates or devaluation.

Domestically, the key challenge was navigating the inflationary pressures that began in 2022, driven by global energy and food prices. While inflation in Portugal moderated from its peak, it remained a central concern for households and businesses, eroding purchasing power. The national context was marked by a rising cost of living, particularly in housing and essential goods, which became a major political issue. The Bank of Portugal, the national central bank within the Eurosystem, supported the ECB's tight monetary policy while repeatedly warning about the risks of high household and corporate debt levels in a rising interest rate environment.

Looking forward, the currency stability of the euro provided a foundation, but Portugal's economic performance in 2023 was more directly shaped by national fiscal policy and EU funds. The government focused on managing the social impact of inflation through targeted support measures while implementing investments funded by the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). The primary economic debates, therefore, centered not on currency matters but on budgetary choices, public investment, and structural reforms aimed at boosting productivity and long-term growth within the constraints and advantages of the common European currency.

Series: Portugal 2 euro commemoratives

2 Euro obverse
2 Euro reverse
2 Euro
2021
2 Euro obverse
2 Euro reverse
2 Euro
2022
2 Euro obverse
2 Euro reverse
2 Euro
2022
2 Euro obverse
2 Euro reverse
2 Euro
2023
2 Euro obverse
2 Euro reverse
2 Euro
2023
2 Euro obverse
2 Euro reverse
2 Euro
2024
2 Euro obverse
2 Euro reverse
2 Euro
2024
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