At the beginning of September, a new collector’s coin, worth five euros, dedicated to the Portuguese band Xutos e Pontapés, entered circulation.
The coin was designed by guitarist Tó Trips and is the sixth coin in the “Portuguese Musicians” series. The first coin in this series entered circulation in August last year and was dedicated to José Afonso.
But beyond these examples, there are thousands of collector coins. They have different characteristics to those in normal circulation and are released in series with different themes.
They are only accepted as a means of payment in Portuguese territory and their characteristics are published in the Diário da República.
It is not common to find collector coins in the payments and change you make on a daily basis. These coins are issued in small quantities and normally, whoever purchases them intends to keep them for collection, as the name suggests.
Still, it is impossible for this to happen, and there are some tips you can follow to confirm whether it is a real or fake coin.
On the Banco de Portugal website you can consult a list with photographs and descriptions of all collector coins that were released, with specific elements and characteristics.
Use the list to check the relief, edge, coin size, image, security features and magnetic properties.
Commercial areas and economic operators cannot refuse circulation coins as a form of payment, but the individual consumer is not obliged to accept them.
Collectible coins do not work in automatic payment machines, as they are calibrated according to banknotes and coins in current use. Even so, commemorative two-euro coins could work, as they have similar characteristics to those in current use.
Collectible coins can be resold for the same value as they were purchased or higher. The Bank of Portugal determined that they could be worth more due to their finish, use of noble metals or packaging.
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