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CC 497 2023
Blister pack
Proof
Proof blister
Spain · EU Council presidency
Mintage5,000
Issue price€23.00
Issue date3 Jul 2023
PackagingBlister pack
Edge lettering2 ★ ★ × 6, alternating upright/inverted
Market price€26.90
Issue occasion
The coin commemorates the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2023. At the centre is the logo of the EU Council Presidency, surrounded by the inscriptions “ESPANA 2023 – PRESIDENCIA ESPANOLA” and “CONSEJO DE LA UNION EUROPEA”; below is the mint mark of the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre–Real Casa de la Moneda, a crowned “M”.
The design
The coin depicts two images. In the center of the coin is the logo of the Spanish EU Council Presidency, surrounded by the inscription: “ESPANA 2023 – PRESIDENCIA ESPANOLA” and “CONSEJO DE LA UNION EUROPEA” (Spain 2023 – Spanish Presidency and Council of the European Union). At the bottom of the coin’s inner section, the mintmark of the Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre Real Casa de la Moneda—the crowned “M”—can be seen.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.
Background on the topic
The presidency of the Council of the European Union (Rat der Europäischen Union) rotates among the Member States every six months. Spain held this office from 1 July to 31 December 2023, taking over from Sweden; Belgium followed. It was the fifth Spanish presidency of the Council since the country joined the European Communities in 1986.
The Council of the European Union (Rat der Europäischen Union), often also called the Council of Ministers, is the institution in which the governments of the Member States are represented. Depending on the policy area, the ministers responsible for the respective fields meet. The country holding the presidency chairs most of these meetings as well as numerous preparatory working groups, organises the discussions and seeks to broker compromises between the national positions. Together with the European Parliament (Europäisches Parlament), the Council participates in EU legislation. The Council presidency must not be confused with the President of the European Council (Europäischer Rat); the Foreign Affairs Council (Rat „Auswärtige Angelegenheiten“) is also not normally chaired by the country holding the presidency.
Spain formed a so-called Trio Presidency with Belgium and Hungary. These groups of three agree on a common programme for eighteen months so that political initiatives can be continued across the individual six-month presidencies. Spanish priorities included strengthening European industry and strategic autonomy, the green transition, social and economic issues, and the unity of the Union.
The presidency took place during a period marked by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, changes in energy policy and debates about the EU’s future enlargement. At the informal meeting of the heads of state or government in Granada, long-term priorities and the Union’s preparation for possible enlargements were discussed in October 2023. During the six-month period, political agreements were also reached between the Council and the European Parliament on, among other things, European regulation of artificial intelligence and key parts of the reform of the common asylum and migration system.
The coin issue thus commemorates a European governmental office with a clearly defined period of duration, which Spain assumes only at intervals of several years. At the same time, it reflects the practice of recording EU-related institutional events on national commemorative coins.
The Council of the European Union (Rat der Europäischen Union), often also called the Council of Ministers, is the institution in which the governments of the Member States are represented. Depending on the policy area, the ministers responsible for the respective fields meet. The country holding the presidency chairs most of these meetings as well as numerous preparatory working groups, organises the discussions and seeks to broker compromises between the national positions. Together with the European Parliament (Europäisches Parlament), the Council participates in EU legislation. The Council presidency must not be confused with the President of the European Council (Europäischer Rat); the Foreign Affairs Council (Rat „Auswärtige Angelegenheiten“) is also not normally chaired by the country holding the presidency.
Spain formed a so-called Trio Presidency with Belgium and Hungary. These groups of three agree on a common programme for eighteen months so that political initiatives can be continued across the individual six-month presidencies. Spanish priorities included strengthening European industry and strategic autonomy, the green transition, social and economic issues, and the unity of the Union.
The presidency took place during a period marked by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, changes in energy policy and debates about the EU’s future enlargement. At the informal meeting of the heads of state or government in Granada, long-term priorities and the Union’s preparation for possible enlargements were discussed in October 2023. During the six-month period, political agreements were also reached between the Council and the European Parliament on, among other things, European regulation of artificial intelligence and key parts of the reform of the common asylum and migration system.
The coin issue thus commemorates a European governmental office with a clearly defined period of duration, which Spain assumes only at intervals of several years. At the same time, it reflects the practice of recording EU-related institutional events on national commemorative coins.