2011 – Portugal – 500th anniversary of the birth of the Portuguese explorer and writer Fernão Mendes Pinto

Introduction

This 2 euro coin, issued by Portugal in 2011, celebrates the 500th anniversary of the birth of Fernão Mendes Pinto. Indeed, Fernão Mendes Pinto is a Portuguese explorer and writer from the 16th century. Thus, this coin commemorates his notable contributions to Portuguese maritime explorations.

Coin description

The obverse of the coin features a caravel, symbol of Portuguese explorations. This emblematic ship evokes the maritime voyages of Fernão Mendes Pinto. Around the caravel, we find the inscription “FERNAO MENDES PINTO” at the top, surrounded by the years “1511” and “2011” on either side, marking its birth anniversary.

Underneath the ship, several names and places are engraved, representing Mendes Pinto’s travels and discoveries. Among them, we can read “INDIA”, “MALACA”, “PATAN”, and “JAPÃO”. The inscription “PORTUGAL” appears at the bottom, indicating the country issuing the coin. In addition, the initials “INCM” and the symbol of the Lisbon Mint confirm the manufacturing workshop.

The twelve stars of the European Union surround the central design, forming a circle. This starry circle symbolizes the unity and harmony of the EU member countries. Furthermore, the arrangement of the graphic elements creates a balanced and meaningful composition, reflecting the importance of the Portuguese explorations and Fernão Mendes Pinto.

Conclusion

This Portuguese 2 euro coin, issued in 2011, commemorates the 500th anniversary of the birth of Fernão Mendes Pinto. The obverse, with his ship and inscriptions, highlights the importance of this explorer to the nation. Indeed, celebrating this anniversary with a coin strengthens collective memory. It also highlights the contributions of Mendes Pinto to maritime discoveries. As a result, this piece constitutes not only a tribute, but also a tangible reminder of Portuguese history and explorations.

Country of Issue:
Date of issue:	September 15, 2011
Total mintage:	520.000
– Proof:	7.500
– BU:	12.500
– UNC:	500.000
Engraver:	Isabelle Carriço and Fernando Branco
The edge:
Rarity:
Official Journal:	2011/C 273/04
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Do you want to know the technical specifications of this coin? Feel free to visit the page dedicated to the specifications of a 2-euro coin.