With Order ECO/84/2002 of 10 January, which agrees to the issuance, minting and putting into circulation of 12 euro coins for the year 2002, continuity was given to the stage started within the monetary framework in 1994 with the 2,000 pesetas coin. Law 62/2003 of 30 December 2003 (BOE No 313 of 31 December 2003) of Fiscal, Administrative and Social Order Measures, Article 102, makes a transposition of Community legislation (Communication from the Commission on the Recommendation of 29 September 2003 on a common procedure for the modification of the design of the national side on the front of euro coins intended for circulation); and amending the wording of Article 81 of Law 42/1994, giving new terminology in relation to commemorative and collector coins. In the new wording of Article 81, it is established, inter alia, that, from January 2004, euro collector coins, euro coins not intended for circulation, normally minted in metals, will be denominated in euro. precious, with a nominal value and design other than those intended for circulation. These coins shall differ significantly from those circulated in at least two of the following three characteristics: colour, weight and diameter. In the same arrangement, the National Mint and the National Mint-Royal Mint, are authorized to coin and sell collection coins of all kinds. The coinage and sale of these coins will be agreed by the Order of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which, in accordance with the Community provisions, will determine the characteristics of the coins, their facial values and the original dates. and, where appropriate, the selling prices to the public. In accordance with Royal Decree 553/2004 of 17 April, which restructured the ministerial departments, the Ministries of Economy and Finance are abolished, passing their powers to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, with the exception of of which the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade is attributed in that Royal Decree. In addition, pursuant to Article 19 (10) of Royal Decree 1552/2004 of 25 June, the organic structure of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the National Mint and Timbre-Real Casa de The Currency is attached to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, through the Secretariat of Economy and Finance. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Christopher Columbus, an exceptional figure in history. The issuance of these coins pays homage to the man who changed the vision of the world known until the 15th century. In its virtue, I have:

First. Agreement on issuance, minting and putting into circulation. -It is agreed for the year 2006, the issuance, minting and putting into circulation of 12 euro collection coins commemorating the V Centenary of the death of Christopher Columbus.

Second. Features of the pieces.

12 euro face value currency.

Composition: Silver of 925 thousandths minimum. Weight: 18 g ± 1 per 100. Diameter: 33 mm. Form: Circular with smooth singing. Legends and motifs:

The front reproduces the superimposed effigies of His Majesties the Kings Don Juan Carlos and Dona Sofia. In the upper part, in circular sense and in capital letters, the text JUAN CARLOS I AND SOFIA. At the bottom, between two points and separated by a script, the legend SPAIN, and the year of minting 2006. Surround the motifs and legends a pearl graffiti.

On the back, on the imaginary lines of parallels and meridians of a globe, a picture of Christopher Columbus is reproduced, according to the portrait of Rafael Tejedo, which is preserved in the Naval Museum in Madrid. On the right, three images appear that simulate the three vessels that accompanied the Admiral in his encounter with the New World, the face value of the piece, 12 EURO, and, in two lines, the years 1506 and 2006. To the left, the mark of Ceca appears. At the bottom of this globe, an oval figure contains, in latent image, a crowned M and the three vessels. On this oval figure, in capitals and from left to right, is the legend CRISTOBAL COLÓN. Surround the motifs and legends a pearl graffiti.

Third. Maximum number of parts. The maximum number of pieces to be coined will be 4,000,000. This amount may be increased or reduced in line with market demand and will be determined by a Follow-up Commission, composed of representatives of the Directorate-General of the Treasury and Financial Policy, the Bank of Spain and the National Mint and Timbre-Real Casa de la Moneda. The Commission's decisions in this regard will aim to avoid significant differences between the face value and the numismatic value of this currency.

The National Currency and Timbre Factory-Royal Mint is authorized to allocate to the numismatic funds of the Museum of this entity up to a maximum of five pieces of each coin minted under the present ministerial order and, where appropriate, those industrial elements of their manufacture which, due to the characteristics of the emission, are of numismatic or museological interest. Fourth. Initial date of issue. The initial date of issue will be the first half of 2006. Fifth. Minting and putting into circulation. -The coins will be minted on behalf of the State, in the National Mint and Timbre-Real Casa de la Moneda, which will deliver them to the Banco de España. Once this delivery is made, the coins will be made available to the public, for which the collaboration of the credit institutions will be counted. They may submit to the National Mint and Timbre-Real Casa de la Moneda their requests in the form and time limit that it determines to meet the demand of the public. The Factory will provide the aforementioned entities with a document to be presented at the Banco de España for the delivery of the parts. After three months from the date of issue of this document without having been presented to the Bank of Spain for the delivery of these coins, the same shall be considered void and without effect; the corresponding pieces, as well as the return to the Banco de España from the market, will be made available to the public and credit institutions. Both the Banco de España and the credit institutions will distribute these coins by giving the public the same face value as they were issued, lacking the Price of Sale to the Public. Sixth. Measures for the implementation of this Order.-The Directorate-General of the Treasury and Financial Policy will perform the interpretation of the precepts that will give doubt and will take the measures that are necessary for the application of this Order, acting as a consultative body the Monitoring Committee referred to in the first paragraph, the third paragraph of this Order.

Final disposition.

This Order shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Gazette of the State.

Madrid, 2 February 2006.

SOLBES MIRA

Mr. Governor of the Bank of Spain and Ms. Director General of the Treasury and Financial Policy and Mr. President-Director General of the National Mint and Timbre-Real Casa de la Moneda.