Banco de Portugal issued a €5 collector coin titled Multiculturalism on June 2, 2026, as part of the "Designing the Coin" series. The coin features interconnected arms forming the outline of Portugal.
Surrounding the central flag design, there are names of several nationalities engraved on the arms. According to the official Banco de Portugal details, the nations written on the arms are Russia, Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Italy, and France.
Israel is not included in the list of countries inscribed on the coin, not even the US. The Jewish state maintains close relations with Portugal but was also founded by many Jews of Portuguese origin, including Bechor Shalom Sheetrit, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence in 1948. Furthermore, Portugal's independence and development owe much to Yaish ben Yahia and the Jewish community.
Regarding the absence of the United States, the fact is even stranger. The largest financier of US independence was Haym Solomon who spoke Ladino, and Portugal was one of the first nations in Europe to formally recognize the independence of the newly formed United States in 1783.
The coin is legal tender exclusively in Portugal and was produced in limited mintages, including a cupronickel standard edition and a silver Proof version.
