Portugal 2½ Euros, 2009

2½ Euros from Portugal. Issued in 2009. Struck in Silver (.925). Measures 28 mm and weighs 12 g.

Obverse

Details of the south portal of the Monastery of the Hieronymites (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) in Manueline style, a monumental testimony to the richness of Portuguese discoveries around the world. On the site of a hermitage founded by Henry the Navigator, King Manuel I undertook in 1502, shortly after Vasco da Gama's return from his first voyage to India, to build a magnificent monastery for the religious of the Hieronymites. It was largely financed by the profits of the spice trade and the riches brought back from the great Portuguese voyages of discovery of the 16th century. Classified as a historical monument in 1907, the monastery was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. On December 13, 2007, the heads of state or government of the European Union met there to sign the Treaty of Lisbon.

Reverse

Representation of the vault of the Nave of the church Santa Maria of the monastery and the coat of arms of Portugal. The inscriptions "2 1/2 EURO" the face value, "2009" the year of issue and "PORTUGAL" the name of the issuing state.

Edge

Fine grooves.