Obverse: The set consists of eight 2002 Portuguese euro coins ranging from 1 cent to 2 euros. The national sides of all denominations feature motifs based on royal seals from the reign of Portugal's first king, Afonso Henriques. The 1, 2 and 5 cent coins feature a seal dating from 1134, the 10, 20 and 50 cent coins a seal from 1142, and the €1 and €2 coins a royal seal from 1144. The motifs are surrounded by Portuguese castles and heraldic shields recalling the country's coat of arms, together with the inscription PORTUGAL and the year of issue 2002.
Reverse: The reverse of the coins features the first common European design corresponding to each euro denomination. The 1, 2 and 5 cent coins depict Europe in relation to the world, while the 10, 20 and 50 cent and €1 and €2 coins depict the European Union member states of the time. The common sides of the euro coins were designed by Luc Luycx.
About the coins: The 2002 coins are Portugal's first euro coins issued for circulation. Euro banknotes and coins officially entered use in Portugal on 1 January 2002, replacing the Portuguese escudo. The national sides of all eight coins were designed by Portuguese artist Vítor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos. The 12th-century royal seals selected for the coins are associated with the formation of the Portuguese state and its first king, Afonso Henriques. The design of Portugal's euro coins therefore connects the modern common European currency with almost nine centuries of Portuguese statehood.
