Portugal Euro Coins

The Portuguese numismatics has fundamentally known three main currencies throughout its history.

The first is undoubtedly the Portuguese Real, in plural called Reìs, which was the official currency of Portugal from the 15th century.

Specifically, it was introduced as early as 1380 and became the official Portuguese currency in 1433.
Its name derives from the monarchy and was undoubtedly a tribute to King Alfonso VI, who reigned during the period of the introduction of the Real.

The Real was the official Portuguese currency until 1911 and during these years many variants emerged, such as the White Real and the Black Real.

From 1911, the official currency became the Escudo, which in Portuguese means “shield.” In particular, this specific currency in singular was defined as escudo and in plural as escudos. However, beyond 1000 escudos, the nomenclature changed to “Conto.”

In short, 1000 Escudos = 1 Conto.

The Introduction of the Euro

The 1st of January 1999 officially marked the introduction of the Euro with an exchange rate set the day before at 200.482 escudos = 1 Euro.

From January 1, 2002, to February 28, 2002, a phase of dual circulation opened until the escudo officially gave way to the Euro.

It is still possible to exchange escudos for Euros until December 30, 2022.

After this necessary introduction regarding the history of numismatics in Portugal, let us begin our journey to discover the Portuguese Euro coins. In particular, we will see the characteristics of the different coins, the materials used, the subjects depicted, and everything there is to know about them.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

Let’s start with the first coin, namely the 1 Euro Cent Portugal. It is important to note that the design of this coin was created by Victor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos.

On the Obverse, the coin features the Seal of 1134 of the King of Portugal Don Alfonso Henriques. Specifically, this seal depicts a cross that forms the word PROTUGAL divided into 4 syllables, one for each quadrant of the cross.

On the outer part of the cross, there is a very particular structure. Firstly, arranged in a circle, there are 7 castles also interspersed with the word PROTUGAL.

In the immediately outer circle, there are 5 heraldic symbols interspersed with the year of minting.
Above the first heraldic emblem, there are also the initials of the author VS. All around are the 12 five-pointed stars symbolizing the European Union.

On the Reverse, the coin has the same face as the other 1 cent European coins depicting Europe in the world.

Now let’s move on to the technical specifications:

Now let's move on to the next coin, namely the 2 Euro Cents Portugal. In this case, the same design has been used for the 1 cent, 2 cents, and 5 cents coins, and the author is Victor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos.

On the Obverse, the coin features the seal of 1134 of the King of Portugal Don Alfonso Henriwues, depicting a cross with the inscription PROTUGAL divided into syllables in the four quadrants.

In the immediately outer circle surrounding the cross, 7 castles are represented, which are also interspersed with the inscription PROTUGAL. Right after, there is another circle composed this time of 5 heraldic symbols. These are interspersed with the minting year and the initials of the author VS on the first heraldic symbol.

Finally, in the outermost circle, there are 12 five-pointed stars symbolizing the States of the European Union.

On the Reverse, the coin features the same face as the other 2 Euro Cents coins from other European States.

Now let's take a look at the technical specifications:

We now arrive at the next coin, namely the 5 Euro Cents Portugal. The design depicted is the same, created by Victor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos, for the red coins of one, two, and five cents.

Regarding the Obverse, like the other red coins, the coin represents the seal of 1134 of the Portuguese King Don Alfonso Henriques, which is characterized by a cross in the center with the word PROTUGAL divided into syllables in the four quadrants of the cross.

Immediately in the outermost circle, 7 castles are depicted, also interspersed with the word PROTUGAL. Moving even further outward, we notice 5 heraldic symbols which, this time, are interspersed with the minting year.

Additionally, above the first heraldic symbol, the initials of the author VS are present. The outermost circle is instead characterized by the 12 five-pointed stars that symbolize the European Union.

On the Reverse, the coin is identical to all other European coins.

But let's move on to the technical specifications:

Let’s move on to the 10 Euro Cents Portugal coin created by the same author Victor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos, although it features slightly different subjects compared to the previous ones. This design will be used for all yellow coins in Nordic Gold, namely the 10, 20, and 50 Euro cent coins.

On the Obverse, the coin represents the seal from 1142 of the King of Portugal, Don Alfonso Henriques. This is a cross (much smaller than the other) in which the inscription PROTUGAL is included.

After a small circular border, 7 castles are depicted, also interspersed with the inscription PORTUGAL. In the immediately outer circle, there are 5 heraldic symbols interspersed with the minting year.

On the first heraldic shield, there are also the initials of the author VS, while above the fifth, the mint mark INCM. The outermost circle consists of the 12 five-pointed stars representing the states of the European Union.

On the Reverse, the coin has the same face as the other 10 Euro cent coins in Europe.

Now let’s look at the technical characteristics of this coin:

Here we are with the coin 20 Cents Euro Portugal. The design is the same as that created by the author, Victor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos, for all the other yellow coins, the 10 cents, 20 cents, and 50 cents.

On the Obverse, the coin features the seal from 1142 of the King of Portugal, Don Alfonso Henriques. Specifically, this is represented by a cross with the four quadrants displaying the word PROTUGAL divided into syllables.

After a small circular border, 7 castles are depicted, also interspersed with the word PROTUGALE. In the immediately following circle, 5 heraldic symbols are represented, which are interspersed with the year of minting.

On the first symbol, the initials of the author VS are included, while on the fifth, the Mint symbol INCM. On the outermost edge, the classic 12 five-pointed stars symbolize the states of the European Union.

On the Reverse, the coin features the exact same face as the other 20 cent European coins.

Let's move on to the technical specifications:

We now arrive at the next coin, namely the 50 Cents Euro Portugal. In this case, we again refer to Victor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos as the author and engraver.

On the Obverse, the coin features the seal from 1142 of the King of Portugal, Don Alfonso Henriques. This seal specifically is represented by a cross placed at the center and the word PROTUGAL divided into syllables along the four quadrants of the cross.

The cross is “protected” by a small circle beyond which are depicted 7 castles (also arranged in a circular form) interspersed with the word PROTUGAL. Immediately after, there are 5 heraldic symbols which are instead interspersed with the minting year.

On the first heraldic symbol, the initials of the author VS are engraved, while on the fifth, those of the State Mint INCM. The outermost circle is occupied by the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European states.

As for the Reverse, it is identical to the other 50 Cents coins of the European Union, depicting Europe itself.

Now let’s take a look at the technical specifications:

We arrive at the penultimate coin in Portuguese Euro, namely the 1 Euro Portugal. This bimetallic coin is once again authored by Victor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos, although the design changes further compared to previous coins. The same design will also be used for the 2 Euro Portugal coins.

On the Obverse, this coin features the seal from 1144 of the King of Portugal, Don Alfonso Henriques. The symbol is accompanied by the word PROTUGAL broken down into syllables.

In the immediately outer circle, there are 7 castles also interspersed with the word PROTUGAL divided into syllables. Next to them, there are 5 heraldic seals, which are interspersed with the minting year at the bottom.

On the first seal, the initials of the engraver VS are present, while on the fifth, those of the State Mint INCM. Finally, the outermost circle is occupied by 12 five-pointed stars symbolizing the European states.

On the Reverse, the coin features the same face as the other 1 Euro coins.

Let’s look at the technical specifications:

Here we are at the very last coin, the 2 Euro Portugal. For this one as well, the author is Victor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos, as the design is the same as the Portuguese 1 Euro coin. If this is not the coin you have in your hands, also check out the commemorative 2 Euro coins from Portugal, you can find them here: 2 euro commemorative Portugal.

On the Obverse, the coin features the seal of 1144 of the King of Portugal, Don Alfonso Henriques. Specifically, this is interspersed with the word PORTUGAL divided into syllables.

In the immediately outer circle, there are 7 castles which are also interspersed with the same word PORTUGAL.

Next to them are 5 heraldic symbols interspersed at the bottom with the year of minting. On the first symbol, the initials of the author, VS, are present, while on the last one, the mint mark, INCM, is displayed.

Finally, on the outermost edge, there are 12 five-pointed stars representing the European states.

On the Reverse, the coin features the same face as the other 2 Euro coins.

Now let's move on to the technical specifications: