2016-04-06 Wed

A special circulating commemorative coin is being issued by Portugal to honour the Portuguese athletes participating in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The obverse is designed by artist Joanna Vasconcelos and features Heart of Viana sculptures, inspired by traditional jewelry from the north of Portugal. Other inscriptions include ‘JOANA VASCONCELOS’, ‘EQUIPA OLÍMPICA DE PORTUGAL 2016’ (translating to "Portugal’s 2016 Olympic team") and ‘INCM’, Mint mark of the Imprensa Nacional de Casa de Moneda. The coin’s outer ring shows the 12 stars of the European flag. The common reverse shows a map of the European Union.

There are plans to release 650,000 coins before March ends.