Portugal

2016

Commemorative coin

Portuguese Team participating in the Olympic Games — Rio 2016

Official Journal of the European Union

The design depicts a visual composition based on the well-known work of art signed by the author, Mrs Joanna Vasconcelos, the ‘Heart of Viana’, inspired by traditional jewelry from the North of Portugal (around the city of Viana do Castelo). It symbolises the support of the Portuguese people to the national team by the occasion of the Games. At the left and the right, in semi-circle, are the inscriptions ‘JOANA VASCONCELOS’ and ‘EQUIPA OLÍMPICA DE PORTUGAL 2016’, respectively. At the bottom is the mintmark ‘INCM’. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Additional information

The motif consists of an image of the Viana heart created in 2008 by artist Joana Vasconcelos, which is based on the traditional jewellery art of the region around Viana do Castelo in northern Portugal. It is meant to symbolise the spirit of determination and passion that characterises the Portuguese people and especially athletes who will represent them at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. At the bottom right is the logo of the Portuguese Olympic Committee, representing the Olympic rings and the cross of the paw borrowed from the Order of Christ.

Edge lettering

Designer