FNMT Spanish mint has just released a new silver 12 euros coins. It is available since last Monday. In fact, I already have mine This year's theme is the International Year of Planet Earth. For further information you have the following article in English : http://www.fnmt.es/index.php?cha=collector&scha=14&page=224&spage=383 Regards.
Nice design idea - with the hand holding the globe, and the two hands at the bottom. Had a hard time recognizing the details, but at the URL that you posted there is also a link to a larger image: http://www.fnmt.es/content/imagenes/mmcc/08/12euros/composicion_12euros_eng_alta.jpg Christian
By the way, if you get to the Spanish language version and do not understand the text, click on "Welcome" (top right) and then, from the "What's new" section, on "12 Euros-Internat. Year of Planet Earth". And another side note: San Marino will issue a €5 coin on that occasion (see attachment). Will be part of this year's BU set and not available at face. There are some more coins with that theme (Australia, Switzerland) but AFAIK no other euro coins. Christian
Those are collector coins, not really intended for circulation. In fact, even though we have a currency union, those pieces are not even legal tender outside the issuing member state. The face value of €12 (and yes, you can get them at face) equals almost exactly 2000 pesetas, and I do not think that is pure coincidence. Christian
As Chrisild said, it is not a coincidence. There was an annual issue of the 2000 pesetas silver coin from 1994 until the euro arrived. For example : http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagen:2000_pesetas-reverse.jpg So the FNMT (mint) took its specifications to go on with that issue. You can get it at face in (almost) any bank office. Sorry, I thought I had written the link to the English page, but it seems there is a default Spanish version and then you can change your language.
LOL you should point out that is Banks in Spain otherwise I would be out buying one, talking of odd denominations I have 3 on the way from Portugal with a face value of 2.5 euros
