The 2011 Portugal 2 euro commemorative coin honours the life and legacy of the explorer and writer Fernão Mendes Pinto. The national side features a stylized ship sailing across a sea composed of names, representing the various destinations Mendes Pinto visited during his extensive travels across Asia. His name is inscribed prominently along the edge of the design, reflecting his significant contribution to Portuguese literature through his famous travelogue, Peregrinação. This work remains a cornerstone of historical accounts regarding European contact with the East during the sixteenth century, illustrating the adventurous spirit that defined the Portuguese maritime expansion. The coin was issued in 2011 with a mintage of 500,000 pieces.