Under the caption "European Heritage", the Spanish Royal Mint is issuing the 10th set of collector coins in the Europa Program. This release is dedicated on this occasion to the writer Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547-1616), the author of the universally acclaimed literary work The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha.

Miguel de Cervantes is chiefly renowned for his extensive literary production embracing novels, poetry and plays.

Born in Alcalá de Henares, Cervantes was the fourth son of a surgeon, Rodrigo de Cervantes and of Leonor de Cortinas. Hearsay has it that he was probably born on the 29th of September, the Day of Saint Michael, which is where his given name might come from, but for now, all we know for sure is that the only document found is his baptism entry that records that he was baptized on the 9th of October, 1547, in the church of Santa Maria la Mayor. He died on Friday, 22nd of April 1616, just over a week after Shakespeare.

Other releases under the Europa Program: (2004) (2005) (2006) (2007) (2008) (2009) (2010) (2011) (2012).

BOE: Orden ministerial (ECC/396/2013)

The obverse portrays the likeness of His Majesty King Juan Carlos I.

The reverse reproduces a likeness of Miguel de Cervantes after a Luis Madrazo drawing housed in Spain's National Library. At left are depicted the silhouetted figures of Don Quixote of La Mancha and Sancho Panza.