Portugal

2017

Commemorative coin

150 Years of Public Security

Official Journal of the European Union

The design shows human figures and buildings, symbolic representations of citizens and cities, where the public security is mainly assured and the simplified police symbol. The legends include the year ‘1867’ and the year of issue ‘2017’, the country of issue ‘PORTUGAL’, the subject of commemoration (‘SEGURANÇA PÚBLICA’ – Public Security), the three main issues related to citizenship (‘DIREITOS’, ‘LIBERDADES’ e ‘GARANTIAS’ – Rights, Freedoms and Warranties), and the author’s name JOSÉ DE GUIMARÃES. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Additional information

The coin shows the insignia of the Policia de Segurança Pública (Public Safety Police) at the top, next to the abbreviation "PSP". Next to the heads of a woman and a man in profile and four stylised buildings symbolising citizens and cities for which public safety is guaranteed, the three most important terms related to citizenship are mentioned: "DIREITOS", "LIBERDADES" and "GARANTIAS" (rights, freedoms and guarantees). 10,000 copies produced in the 'polished plate' manufacturing process are issued as a coloured version. However, the EU legal technical specifications do not foresee the use of a colour overprint. Accordingly, coloured circulation coins should not actually exist. However, they are tolerated by the EU, especially since they are only produced in small quantities, are packaged separately and are therefore not basically used as means of payment.

Edge lettering

Designer