Portugal 2 Euros, 2011

2 Euros from Portugal. Issued in 2011. Struck in Bimetallic: nickel brass clad nickel centre in copper-nickel ring. Measures 25.75 mm and weighs 8.5 g.

Obverse

The inner part of the coin commemorating the 500th anniversary of the birth of Fernão Mendes Pinto, a Portuguese explorer whose book on his discoveries and adventures in the seas and countries of Asia was published posthumously under title “Peregrinação” (Pilgrimage), depicts a sailing ship floating on a sea formed by a series of wave-shaped references to Portugal, Lisbon, his book and some of the destinations of his travels, With the country designation “Portugal” centered beneath them. His name flanked by the dates “1511” and “2011” form a semicircle around the upper edge of the inner part. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Reverse

A map, next to the face value, shows the European continent without borders

Edge

Finely ribbed with seven castles and five coats of arms