The NRP Espadarte entered Portuguese naval service in 1913 as one of the country's first domestically operated submarines, acquired as part of a broader effort by the young republic — just three years old following the 1910 revolution — to modernize its armed forces. The boat was built by Schneider et Cie in Chalon-sur-Saône and served through the First World War, during which Portugal's naval commitments in the Atlantic were considerable despite the country's late formal entry into the conflict in 1916.
The 2½ Euro denomination itself was introduced by INCM specifically for commemorative circulation issues, giving collectors an accessible price point without the bullion premiums of silver.
The NRP Espadarte entered Portuguese naval service in 1913 as one of the country's first domestically operated submarines, acquired as part of a broader effort by the young republic — just three years old following the 1910 revolution — to modernize its armed forces. The boat was built by Schneider et Cie in Chalon-sur-Saône and served through the First World War, during which Portugal's naval commitments in the Atlantic were considerable despite the country's late formal entry into the conflict in 1916.
The 2½ Euro denomination itself was introduced by INCM specifically for commemorative circulation issues, giving collectors an accessible price point without the bullion premiums of silver.