How to Collect 2 Euro Coins from Portugal
Compared to other 2 euro coins, Portuguese pieces can be found quite often in circulation. But most of them are normal circulation coins – 2 euro commemorative coins are still very rare. Collectors should preferably purchase these pieces from specialised dealers as they offer mint state quality. Portuguese commemorative coins of mint state quality can also be found online. You should always compare different offers before your purchase. This overview presents some special pieces with potential.
2 Euro Circulation Coins
The Portuguese Republic was one of the countries to introduce the euro as its sole currency in 2002. The reverse design (RV) meets the requirements set for all euro countries. The obverse (OBV) still features a royal seal from 1144 at the centre of the blank. It is surrounded by seven castles and five coats of arms and refers to King Afonso Henriques, the founder of the Portuguese kingdom. Circulation coins have been minted since 2002. Moreover, the motif includes the initials of the artist and the letters “INCM” referring to the Portuguese mint in Lisbon. The reeded edge also depicts seven castles and five coats of arms. The OBV design was slightly changed in 2011. The image is now a bit more refined and the stars on the rim are a little smaller. In some years, only coin sets were issued.
Just like 2 euro commemorative coins, all 2 euro circulation coins consist of a ring made of cupronickel. The core is made of nickel brass with a nickel core (CuNi / Ni, CuNiZn plated). All pieces can slightly be attracted by a magnet at the centre.
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 8.50 g
- Diameter: 25.75 mm
- Reeded edge
- In addition to the reeded edge, Portuguese specimens feature 7 castles and 5 coats of arms as an edge inscription.
Particularities
Coloured or even gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.
Mint Error Coins
There are a few coins from the first year 2002 that were mistakenly produced with the edge inscription of Dutch euro coins: GOD ZIJ MET ONS. No other “actual” error coins are known of. Nevertheless, there are numerous pieces – especially online – that are offered as error coins at horrendous prices. Be careful! Most of these so-called errors are nothing but minting coincidences. So-called “off-centred” stars on the OBV don’t exist. To create the illusion of such “error coins”, the pieces are simply rotated a little. This can be easily recognised due to the seal in the centre of the design, which isn’t in the right position. Nevertheless, look for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins because such pieces are “actual” error coins. It’s always possible to find such a specimen.
Appraisal
These coins can be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens start at 4 euros. If they are offered at all, the really rare pieces with the Dutch edge inscription “GOD ZIJ MET ONS” are sold at collector’s prices.
Joint Issues of the Eurozone
The Portuguese Republic participated in all four joint issues of the eurozone of 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2015. So far, no mint error coins have been found. You can hardly find these pieces in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range from 6 to 10 euros.
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.
500th Birthday of Fernão Mendes Pinto 2011.
500th Birthday of Fernão Mendes Pinto, 2011
M. Pinto was an author and explorer from Portugal (1511–1583). The OBV depicts a ship in the sea, stylised waves indicate the destinations of Pinto’s pilgrimage. In 1614, his adventures were published under the title “Pilgrimage”. His name as well as the years 1511 and 2011 are engraved at the top and the sides. Below you can see the country name Portugal, the mint mark INCM at the bottom left, and the initials of both artists at the right. The edge inscription is the same as that on circulation coins. This piece is certainly of interest to lovers of nautical themes, too.
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.
Particularities
Coloured or even gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.
Mint Error Coins
So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, look for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.
Appraisal
These coins cannot be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range between 8 and 20 euros. It’s certainly worth it to compare various offers before purchasing such a specimen, or – to save money on shipment fees – to buy several pieces from the same supplier.
Obverse 250 Years Porto Clerigos Tower, 2013.
250 Years Porto Clerigos Tower, 2013
The Baroque Clérigos Church in Porto was built by the Italian architect Nasoni between 1738 and 1750. The belltower (Torre dos Clérigos) is 75.50 meters high, making it the highest belltower in Portugal. It was completed in 1763. The OBV depicts the tower and the bridge Ponte Dom Luis. On the bottom right you can see the coat of arms of Portugal, to the left there are the name of the designer and the mint mark INCM. The edge inscription is the same as that on circulation coins.
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.
Particularities
Coloured or even gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.
Mint Error Coins
So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, keep looking for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.
Appraisal
These coins can hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range between 5 and 8 euros. Due to the mintage number of 500,000 pieces for circulation, this price could still increase.
Obverse 50th Anniversary of the 25th of April Bridge, 2016.
50th Anniversary of the 25th of April Bridge, 2016
The monument was completed in 1966 and opened under the name “Salazar Bridge”. The suspension bridge is used for cars and trains and has a length of 2.3 kilometres. After the Carnation Revolution of 25 April 1974, it was renamed Ponte 25 de Abril (25th of April Bridge). The OBV depicts the bridge over the Tagus River. At the top right is the country name Portugal and the Portuguese coat of arms. Below the indication of the mint and the designer. The edge inscription is the same as that on circulation coins.
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.
Particularities
Coloured or even gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.
Mint Error Coins
So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, keep looking for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.
Appraisal
These coins cannot or hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range between 6 and 10 euros. Prices could still increase as the mintage number of 500,000 specimens for circulation isn’t very high.
Obverse 150th Birthday of Raúl Brandãu, 2017.
150th Birthday of Raúl Brandão, 2017
The Portuguese writer Raúl Brandão lived from 1837 to 1930. In his works, he mainly focused on farmers and fishermen. The OBV features a portrait of the author. The motif is complemented by the country name Portugal at the bottom right. Above the name of the designer Luis Filipe de Abreu in arched lettering. The edge inscription is the same as that on circulation coins.
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.
Particularities
Coloured or even gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.
Mint Error Coins
So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, keep looking for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.
Appraisal
These coins cannot be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range between 4 and 7 euros. Prices are likely to increase here, too.
In the online database Cosmos of Collectibles you can find all 2 euro coins of Portugal.
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The author numiscontrol already dealt with the rarities among 2 euro commemorative coins of other countries. too. Here you can read his articles on coins from
And here you can find his series on rare 2 euro pieces from Germany and on the joint EU issues (in German).
Find out more about our author numiscontrol, alias Reiner Graff, in our who’s who.
The collecting expert made it his mission to introduce beginners to the world of coin collecting – here you can read his series “Coin Care in Simple Terms”.
If you long to spend some time in Portugal, you should read Ursula Kampmann’s numismatic travel diary about the Global Power Portugal.
