Not to drink...

Issued year - 2008

Alto Douro Vinhateiro - Wine producing Region of Upper Douro - Unesco World Heritage

Alexandra Vieira, a work mate, got me this original and magnificent 2,5 € coin. On the 14th December 2001, UNESCO classified as World Heritage, in the category of cultural landscape, an area larger than 26 thousand hectares in Northeastern Portugal, the Upper Douro Wine Region. This region has been producing wine for more than 2000 years, including the world Port Wine. The coin presents on the observe an element that suggests at the same time the flowing river Douro and/or a vine-plant with two hanging leaves bearing the coat of arms of the Republic and the denomination. The reverse shows the river and the sequence of mountains with their typical terraces.

Issuing volume: 150.000

Friendly neighbor

Last month, another friendly neighbor, Manuel Caja, from La Coruna, Spain, sent me these two rare and wonderful San Marino UNC coins: the 20 cent - shows a portrait of Saint Marinus, from a painting of Van Guercino, 17th century, and 50 centimes - shows the Three Towers: Guaita, Cesta and Montale, fortress of San Marino, in exchange of several portuguese currency coins. Muchas gracias, Manuel.

Now I must "only" get the 3 San Marino missing ones; 10 centimes, 1 and 2 €.

Most Serene Republic of San Marino is one of the European microstates and on the basis of an agreement with the European Union, can distribute Euro coins.

Click here to see the image of the rare magnificent eight San Marino euro coins.