Where are the Euros?

Izotz,I don't particularly like the current designs on the obverses of the Spanish Euro coins.I don't know why Spain doesn't follow the Dutch,Luxembourgish & Belgian trend - have the monarch's portrait on all the obverses of the Euro coins.King Juan Carlos I of Spain is more well-known internationally than some of the personalities depicted on the Spanish Euro coins.Perhaps the Cortes made the decision to have the King's portrait on only the 1 & 2 Euro coins.

Aidan.

 

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Hello Aidan Work,

I don't like Spanish obverses neither, but it's just a matter of design for me. I think they are not "pretty" (sorry, I can't think of a more appropriate word for this).

But I dislike the idea of having every coin the same design. Imagine that all US coins had the Washington face. It may be a little boring for me. At least, they have a diferent obverse, one for each state. And every face value has its own design.

I think it is necessary that we have King Juan Carlos I on one or two face values, but there are many other things that we can show to the world. Maybe, other people know Cervantes as I know Dante (€2 Italian coin) or Shakespeare.

I like Italian coins, for example. I know some history about Leonardo and his drawings, as you can see on 1€ coin (chrisild's avatar).

But we could show many other things to the world so that they can learn about other things. For example, I didn't know Sacagawea story until I saw that one dollar coin.

But this is just my opinion. I hope I explained myself. Maybe other people want to tell theirs.

 

Hmm, maybe that "no women so far" comment referred to circulation coins only? I know some Spanish coins that depict women - Queen Sofía of course, Letizia, and also historic personalities like Queen Isabel. But having women on coins that you (we ) use every day would be a little different, I think.

Oh, and I just read that the decision has been made:
http://www.finanzas.com/id.9167909/noticias/noticia.htm

So all members of the parliament voted for the bill, except the PP members (who abstained). And probably as from 2009 there will also be women on Spanish circulation coins. Well, like you I do not at all oppose equal rights and opportunities for women. Now whether this design change helps in that regard ... I doubt it.

Christian

 

It is quite true that there are no women on Spanish coins but there are some exceptions. I mean, you are completely right, but as a matter of a curiosity, I will tell you those exceptioins.

I'm in a hurry now, but I will post some circulation coins :
10 pesetas - Emilia Pardo Bazán (writer)
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagen:10_pesetas_1996_emilia_pardo_bazan.png

The Queen on 500 pesetas circulation coin :
http://www.bde.es/billemone/peseta/pop_moneda500.htm

Sorry I'm in a hurry and I can't post better quality images.

And those you mentioned are "almost" circulation coins, but you are right that in fact they are some sort of conmemorative.

 

The cathedral of Santiago de Compostela actually looks good on the "copper" coins, I think. Having Cervantes on a coin is nice too (except that the head is a little small compared to the other design elements on that side). Sure, I prefer sets with eight different designs - Italy, Austria, Slovenia ... But the German pieces are not that great either: only three (like in Spain) and a little boring.

That is also why I like the idea of the €2 commems: More opportunities for different designs, with the "side effect" that we (can) learn more about the people or objects depicted ...

Christian