Portugal has now issued it's second circulating commemorative two Euro coin for 2016. The first coin was issued earlier in the year by the Portuguese Mint(Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda / INCM), and was dedicated to Portugal's Olympic team. The full WNN review of that coin can be found HERE.
The subject, however of this coin is the 50th Anniversary of Portugal's 25th April Bridge(Ponte 25 de Abril). The bridge was originally inaugurated on the 6th of August 1966 as the Salazar Bridge after the nations de-facto dictator Prime-Minister, António de Oliveira Salazar. Then after the carnation revolution of 1974 that overthrew the Estado Novo government in a largely peaceful coup, due to the popular support of the civilian population at large, the bridge was rechristened as the “25 de Abril” bridge in remembrance of the revolution.
Portugal 2016 25 De Abril Bridge Commemorative €2 Coin Reverse
The bridge itself bears a striking resemblance to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, USA, and is considered a sister bridge to the Oakland Bay Bridge also in San Francisco. It connects Portugal's capital city of Lisbon with the municipality of Almada across the Tejo River, spanning a total of 2 277m(1.4148 mile).
The reverse of the bi-metallic coin features an artists impression of the bridge on the centre disc spanning across the Tejo river, which in turn is represented by horizontal lines that fade into the horizon. “PORTUGAL” is written to the top right, along the border between the inner disc and the outer ring. The Portuguese Coat of Arms is engraved in the sky above the bridge just below “PORTUGAL”. Below the bridge to the right appears the words “PONTE 25 DE ABRIL”, “1966” and “2016”. The outer ring contains the usual twelve five pointed stars. The coin was designed by sculptor José Aurélio
The obverse depicts the mandatory common obverse design for all circulating two Euro coins across the continent. The 25.75mm(1.0137inch) coin weighs 8.5gram(0.2732oz) and is made from a cupro-nickel outer ring and a nickel-brass inner disc. The coin will be minted in three variants.
Portugal 2016 25 De Abril Bridge Commemorative €2 Proof Coin Packaging
The first is a proof quality coin with a limited mintage of 10 000 coins. The proof coin is shipped in a specially printed protective blister pack, housed inside a protective cover of the same design. The proof coin is available for €17.22(US$19.00)
Portugal 2016 25 De Abril Bridge Commemorative €2 Uncirculated Coin Packaging
The second variant is a brilliant uncirculated quality coin with maximum mintage of 10 000 coins. This coin will be supplied enclosed on a specially printed illustrated wallet of a similar design to the proof coin's packaging. This coin is being listed for €9.84(US$11.00). Then finally there is the regular business strike coins that are destined for circulation. These will have a maximum mintage of a half a million(500 000) coins total. The coins can currently be obtained from the Portuguese Mint's online store.
