Utilizați butonul de Translate din dreapta pagini pentru traducere.
Inaugurating the "Lighthouses of Portugal" series, this new coin issued by the Portuguese Mint (INCM) on November 12th, pays tribute to the Cape St. Vincent lighthouse, in operation since 1846 and erected at the southwesternmost point of the continent.
The design of this recent issue explores the grandeur of the structure and the importance of navigation, highlighting its iconic Fresnel lens and its role in maritime safety.
Cape St. Vincent Lighthouse
The Cape St. Vincent Lighthouse (Farol do Cabo de São Vicente) is located at the southwestern tip of Portugal, in the parish of Sagres, municipality of Vila do Bispo, district of Faro. Situated on a rocky cliff over 60 meters high, it overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and marks one of the westernmost points of the European continent.
Its construction began in 1846 by order of Queen Maria II of Portugal. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the lighthouse underwent several renovations and modernizations. In 1908, a new optical apparatus with a long-range Fresnel lens was installed, and in 1982 its automation was completed, with remote control by the Portuguese Navy.
The lighthouse features a 28-meter-high cylindrical tower, attached to a group of white buildings that house technical facilities and former staff quarters.
Its nominal light range is 32 nautical miles (approximately 59 km), making it one of the most powerful lighthouses in Europe according to official data from the Lighthouse Directorate.
Besides its nautical importance, Cape St. Vincent holds great historical and symbolic significance. Since antiquity, this promontory has been cited by Greco-Roman authors as one of the limits of the known world, and during the Portuguese Age of Discovery, its location was strategic for Atlantic navigation and the routes to Africa and the Americas.
Today, the lighthouse remains operational under the Portuguese Navy's Lighthouse Directorate. It is also a major tourist attraction, visited by thousands of people each year who come to admire the panoramic views of the Atlantic and the famous sunsets over the ocean.
Design
The obverse depicts an image of the Cape St. Vincent lighthouse as seen from the southeast. To its left is an armillary sphere bearing the Portuguese coat of arms and a perspective representation of the Atlantic Ocean. At the bottom center of the composition is the inscription "Cabo de São Vicente," and further down, on the right edge, the name of the coin's author, José João de Brito, and the inscription "Casa da Moeda" (Mint).
The reverse side features a series of partially cut radial and concentric lines, reminiscent of the Fresnel lens commonly used in headlight optics. At the top of the design, between the concentric lines, is the name of the issuing country, "Portugal," while the face value, "5 euro," is indicated in the center, and the year of issue, "2025," is at the bottom.
5€ Coin – Cupronickel
Technical specifications
Issue date: November 12, 2025
Country: Portugal
Face value: 5 euros
Metal: Cupronickel
Design: José João de Brito
Weight: 14 g
Diameter: 30 mm
Quality: BU
Print run: 30,000
5€ Coin – Gold
Technical specifications
Issue date: November 12, 2025
Country: Portugal
Face value: 5 euros
Metal: 999 Gold
Design: José João de Brito
Weight: 15.55 g
Diameter: 30 mm
Quality: Proof
Print run: 1,500
5€ Coin – Silver
The proof-quality silver version of the coin features a translucent light-up ring. However, due to the complexity of its production process, its release has been postponed, and the new release date will be announced soon.
Print run: 4,000 units
Sursa informațiilor aici.
Niciun comentariu:
Trimiteți un comentariu