Noi monede comemorative din Portugalia - 11.07.2021

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The last coin issued in Portugal is dedicated to Aristides de Sousa Mendes, Portuguese consul in Bordeaux who during World War II, disobeying the orders of his government, signed visas that allowed some 30,000 people of various nationalities, mostly Jews, escape the persecution of the Nazis. Although his help also served a person as illustrious as Salvador Dalí, or even most of the Belgian government in exile.

His death occurred in utter misery on April 3, 1954. The first recognition came in 1966 from Israel, which declared Aristides de Sousa Mendes a "Righteous Among the Nations." In 1986, the United States Congress issued a proclamation honoring his heroic act. Later he was finally recognized by Portugal, when its president Mario Soares apologized to the Sousa Mendes family and the Portuguese Parliament posthumously appointed him ambassador. 

This coin is a tribute from the Portuguese Republic to this inspiring
man. The coin is also dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, all those who were able to save themselves, and the heroes who helped them. 

 

The coin issued under the name of «Arístides de Sousa Mendes - It will never be forgotten», shows on the obverse the center a «V» connecting both sides, with the words «Humanidade / Igualdade / Dignidade / Esperança / Liberdade» written on the upper part, the face value on the left and the national emblem on the right; the legend "Never Esquecer" (It will never be forgotten) appears on the lower edge, on the left side, in addition to the face value "5 euro", the legends "Casa da Moeda" and "Portugal", on the right the artist's mark (José Viriato) and the year of issue "2021".

The reverse shows the image of the Portuguese diplomat together with the inscriptions on his right: "Aristides de Sousa Mendes / 1885 -1954 / Um just between as nações".

The coin can be purchased in three versions with the same design, one minted in cupro-nickel at its face value, and two in precious metals, one in silver and the other in gold, at obviously higher prices. The silver and gold coins are presented as you can see in the image.

Characteristics of the coins

Author: José Viriato
Face value: 5 euros
Metal: Cupronickel / Silver 925 / Gold 999
Diameter: 30 mm
Mintage: 25,000 / 2,500 / 1,500
Weight: 14 g / 14 g / 15.55 g 

 

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