Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru
  • 2 Euro 2022, KM# 930, Portugal, 100th Anniversary of the First Aerial Crossing of the South Atlantic
  • 2 Euro 2022, KM# 930, Portugal, 100th Anniversary of the First Aerial Crossing of the South Atlantic
Description

The first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic was made by the Portuguese naval aviators Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral in 1922, to mark the centennial of Brazil's independence. Coutinho and Cabral flew in stages from Lisbon, Portugal, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, using three different Fairey III biplanes, and covered a distance of 8,383 kilometres (5,209 mi) between 30 March and 17 June. Although the North Atlantic had already been traversed in a non-stop flight by John Alcock and Arthur Brown in 1919, Coutinho and Cabral's flight remains notable as a milestone in transatlantic aviation, and for its use of new technologies such as the artificial horizon.

Obverse

Depicts one of the three Fairey III seaplanes that Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral used for the first crossing of the South Atlantic from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro in 1922, surrounded by the inscription "Crossing of the South Atlantic" above, country name and dates below as well as the Southern Cross. On the lower right edge engraver and the mint names. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.

The Fairey Aviation Company Fairey III was a family of British reconnaissance biplanes that enjoyed a very long production and service history in both landplane and seaplane variants. First flying on 14 September 1917, examples were still in use during the Second World War.

Portugal ordered its first IIIDs in 1921. Its first aircraft, modified as the F.400 and named "Lusitânia", was used for an attempt to fly across the South Atlantic and demonstrate the new aerial navigation system devised by Gago Coutinho, the navigator. The voyage started on 30 March 1922 (Flyers Day in Portugal), stopping at Las Palmas, São Vicente, Cape Verde and achieving the main navigation goal of Saint Peter and Paul Rocks, where it was lost during refuelling. The journey was finished using another two standard aircraft (the second of which was immediately lost in the sea), completing the first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic, 72 days after their departure from Lisbon. The last aircraft, "Santa Cruz", is currently displayed at the Museu de Marinha, in Portugal.

Engraver: José João Brito

TRAVESSIA DO ATLÂNTICO SUL
PORTUGAL 1922 - 2022
Esc. JJ BRITO CASA DA MOEDA

Reverse

A geographical map of Western Europe spans the outer ring and inner core on the right side of the coin. The inscription 2 EURO is superimposed over the map of Europe, with the numeral “2” located in an open field representing the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

12 stars are located on the right side of the outer ring, with six stars atop the map of Europe and six stars below it; six vertical stripes cut across the inner core of the coin, visually connecting the upper and lower star segments.

Luc Luycx, a designer at the Royal Belgian Mint, designed the Euro’s common reverse; his initials, LL, are seen on the right side of the design, just under the “O” in “EURO.”

2 EURO
LL

Edge

The edge design features the seven castles and five coats of arms also found on the national side, all equally spaced

2 Euro

100th Anniversary of the First Aerial Crossing of the South Atlantic

KM# 930
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Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Nickel Brass
Weight 8.5 g
Diameter 25.75 mm
Thickness 2.2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Portuguese Mint and Official Printing Office (INCM)

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