1/4 Euro Carlos Seixas

Carlos Seixas — full name José António Carlos de Seixas — was one of the most prolific keyboard composers of the 18th century, yet almost none of his work survived. A fire that destroyed Lisbon in the 1755 earthquake obliterated the bulk of his output; of an estimated 700 keyboard sonatas, fewer than 100 are known today. This coin was issued to mark the 300th anniversary of his birth.

The quarter-euro bullion-and-commemorative format was introduced by the Casa da Moeda in 2003, producing low-mintage gold pieces at accessible weights for collectors.