The new reverse side of all €2 coins from 2007 onwards.
The old reverse side for €2 coins minted before 2007.
€2 commemorative coins are special euro coins minted and issued by member states of the eurozone since 2004 as legal tender in all eurozone member states. The coins typically commemorate the anniversaries of historical events or draw attention to current events of special importance. As of 2007, thirty-nine variations of €2 commemorative coins have been minted — six in 2004, eight in 2005, seven in 2006 and eighteen in 2007 (including the thirteen versions of the common issue). At least one more is planned to be minted in 2007. €2 commemorative coins have become collectibles. The €2 commemorative coins are not to be confused with commemorative coins (with a face value higher than €2), which are officially designated as "collector coins" and usually made of precious metal.[1]
Regulations and restrictions
The basis for the commemorative coins derived from a decision of the European Council, which repealed the prohibition of changing the national obverse sides of euro coins from 1 January 2004 onwards.[2] However, a number of recommendations and restrictions still apply.
Two restrictions concern the design. For one, nothing has changed about the fact that euro coins have a common reverse side, so only the national obverse sides may be changed. Additionally, the standard national obverse sides per se should not be changed before 2008 at the earliest, unless the head of state depicted on some of the coins changes before then. (This clause already came into effect for Monaco and the Vatican City, whose heads of state — Rainier III and Pope John Paul II respectively — died in 2005 and whose national obverse sides were changed for 2006.)
Further regulations restrict the frequency and number of commemorative coin issues. Each member state shall only issue one commemorative coin per year, and it shall only be denominated as a €2 coin. The total number of such coins put into circulation per year shouldn't surpass the higher of the following two numbers:
0.1 per cent of the total number of €2 coins put into circulation by all members of the eurozone. This limit can exceptionally be increased to up to 2.0 per cent if the coin commemorates a very important and noteworthy event; in this case, the member state issuing this higher number of coins should refrain from putting any commemorative coins into circulation for the following four years.
5.0 per cent of the total number of €2 coins put into circulation by the member state issuing the €2 commemorative coin.
Another decision[3] added two more guidelines regarding the design of the coins. The state issuing a coin should in some way clearly be identified on the obverse side, either by stating the full name or a clearly identifiable abbreviation of it; and neither name nor the denomination of the coin should be repeated on the obverse, as it is already featured on the common reverse side.
These restrictions do not apply retroactively; only new designs — the national obverse sides for regular issues of states newly joining the euro or of eurozone states which change their design, and €2 commemorative coins issued from 2006 onwards — are subject to them. However, the five countries whose designs violated the rules (Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany and Greece) will have to change their design in the near future, which Finland already did for 2007.[4]
[edit] Issues
has issued €2 commem. coins has not yet issued €2 commem. coins not part of the eurozone
As of July 2007, twelve countries have issued €2 commemorative coins (Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Portugal, San Marino, Spain and the Vatican City), with Greece being the first country to issue this type of coin. Four eurozone countries have not yet issued such coins (France, Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovenia); Slovenia plans to do so in 2008, and there has also been common Treaty of Rome €2 commemorative coin issued by all eurozone member states in 2007.
Country
Issues
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
reg.
TOR
Austria
2
Y
Y
Belgium
4
Y
Y
Y
Cyprus
0
Finland
5
Y
Y
Y
Y
France
1
Y
Germany
4
Y
Y
Y
S
S
Greece
2
Y
Y
Ireland
1
Y
Italy
4
Y
Y
Y
Y
Luxembourg
5
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Malta
0
Monaco
1
Y
Netherlands
1
Y
Portugal
2
Y
Y
San Marino
4
Y
Y
Y
S
Slovenia
1
Y
S
Spain
2
Y
Y
Vatican City
4
Y
Y
Y
Y
Total
43
6
8
7
6
13
2
1
Y – yes
not yet part of the eurozone
no
S – scheduled
The face value of the coins is typically less than their market value of between €3 and €12. The exceptions are San Marino and the Vatican City, where coins from the former are regularly sold for between €30 and €40, while coins from the latter are very rarely obtained for less than €100.
Issued designs are made public in the Official Journal of the European Union (references to these publications are given in the tables below).
Note: In heraldry, directions are often described as they would appear to the bearer of a coat of arms, rather than as they would appear to the viewer. Therefore, the following descriptions will use "facing to the left" when it would appear to the layman that the person depicted is facing to the right.
[edit] 2004 coinage
Image
Country
Feature
Volume
Date
Greece
Summer Olympics in Athens 2004
50 million coins
14 March 2004[5]
Description: The Discobolus (a classical Greek sculpture by Myron) is depicted in the centre of the coin. To the right[6] of it is the logo of the Olympic games (ATHENS 2004) and the five Olympic Rings, while to the left[6] the denomination of the coin in Greek is given (2 ΕΥΡΩ). The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design. The year mark is split around the star in the bottom centre (20*04), and the mint mark is to the upper right[6] of the statue's head.[7]
Finland
Fifth Enlargement of the European Union in 2004
1 million coins
FDI:[8] 1 June 2004FDC:[9] 1 July 2004[10]
Description: The coin's design resembles a stylised pillar from which ten sprouts grow upwards. This is a metaphorical theme: The ten sprouts represent the growth of the European Union (i.e., the 2004 enlargement which added ten new member states), while the pillar represents the foundation for the growth. Near the bottom of the coin, below the pillar, the word EU is written, and together with the left[6] side of the pillar, representing the Greek small letter "ρ" (rho), it reads "euro". The twelve stars of the European Union adorn the outer ring together with the year mark, which is at the top of the ring.[11]
Luxembourg
Effigy and Monogram of Grand Duke Henri
2.49 million coins
23 June 2004[12]
Description: On the right[6] side of the centre part of the coin, the effigy of Grand Duke Henri is depicted, looking to the left.[6] The left[6] side displays his monogram (the letter H topped with a crown). The twelve stars of the European Union are also on the left[6] side of the inner part, surrounding the monogram in a semi-circular form. The year mark, the mint mark and the engraver's initials are written in circular shape at the top of the outer ring, together with the word LËTZEBUERG ("Luxembourg" in Luxembourgish), while the words HENRI — Grand-Duc de Luxembourg appear at the bottom of the ring.[13]
Italy
Fifth Decade of the World Food Programme
16 million coins
15 December 2004[14]
Description: In the centre of the coin is a globe, tilted to the left.[6] Three ears emerge from behind the globe, reaching out to cross the outer ring; these are maize, rice and wheat, representing the world's basic sources of nourishment. The letters R and I, superimposed over one another, are to the left[6] of the globe (representing Repubblica Italiana), and below them are the engraver's (Uliana Pernazza) initials (a combination of the letters U and P). The mint mark (R) is to the upper right[6] of the globe, the year mark is below it, and the twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring, grouped into three batches of four stars each, separated by the three ears.[15]
San Marino
Bartolomeo Borghesi
110,000 coins
15 December 2004[16]
Description: The central piece of this coin is a bust of the famous historian and numismatist Bartolomeo Borghesi. It is surrounded by numerous inscriptions in the centre of the coin: SAN MARINO to the left[6] of the bust, BARTOLOMEO BORGHESI, the mint mark (R) and the engraver's initials (E.L.F.) to the right[6] of it. On the outer ring, the coin displays the twelve stars of the European Union and the year mark (bottom centre).[17]
Vatican City
75th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Vatican City State
85,000 coins
15 December 2004[18]
Description: The central part of the coin depicts a schematic representation of the perimeter walls of the Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica in the foreground, together with the inscriptions 75o ANNO DELLO STATO (to the right[6]), 1929–2004 and the mint mark (R) (both to the left[6]). In addition to these, the name of the designer (VEROI) and the initials of the engraver (L.D.S. INC.) are written in the lower left[6] in smaller print. The outer ring is adorned by the twelve stars of the European Union and the inscription CITTÀ DEL VATICANO.[19]
[edit] 2005 coinage
Image
Country
Feature
Volume
Date
Luxembourg
50th Birthday of Grand Duke Henri, 5th Anniversary of his Accession to the Throne and 100th Anniversary of the Death of Grand Duke Adolphe
2.8 million coins
15 January 2005[20]
Description: In the centre of the coin, the effigies of the Grand Dukes Henri and Adolphe are displayed, both looking to the left,[6] with Henri's superimposed on Adolphe's. The inscription GRANDS-DUCS DE LUXEMBOURG appears above the effigies, while the inscriptions HENRI *1955 and ADOLPHE †1905 are written below the respective effegies. The outer ring of the coin contains the twelve stars of the European Union, placed between the letters of the word LËTZEBUERG and the year mark, which is centred below the effigies positioned between the engraver's initial (S) on the right[6] and the mint mark on the left.[6][21]
Belgium
Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union
6 million coins
FDI:[8] March 1, 2005FDC:[9] April 1, 2005[22]
Description: In the centre of the coin, the effigies of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and King Albert II of the Belgians are depicted, looking right.[6] The engraver's initials (LL) are in the lower left,[6] while the year mark is below the effigies. On the outer circle, the twelve stars of the European Union are displayed, along with the mint mark on the bottom, the monogram of Grand-Duke Henri to the left[6] and the monogram of King Albert II to the right.[6][23]
Spain
4th Centenary of the first edition of Miguel de Cervantes' El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha
8 million coins
1 April 2005[24]
Description: The centre of the coin displays Don Quixote holding a lance, with the windmills from one of his most well-known escapades in the background. The inscription ESPAÑA is impressed into the surface of the coin to the right[6] of the image, with the mint mark (an M topped by a crown) below. The twelve stars of the European Union are placed on the outer ring, with the four on the left[6] side impressed into the surface of the coin, as well, and the year mark placed between three of the stars (*20*05*) at the bottom.[25]
Austria
50th Anniversary of the Austrian State Treaty
7 million coins
11 May 2005[26]
Description: In the centre of the coin is a depiction of the seals and signatures of the Austrian State Treaty, signed by the foreign ministers of the Allied occupying forces (Vyacheslav Molotov for the Soviet Union, John Foster Dulles for the United States, Harold Macmillan for the United Kingdom and Antoine Pinay for France), the High Commissioners of the four sectors, as well as the Foreign Minister of Austria (Leopold Figl) on 15 May 1955. The inscription 50 JAHRE STAATSVERTRAG is above the seals, while the year mark is below it; in the background, vertical stripes serve as a heraldic depiction of Austria's national flag (red-white-red). The outer ring contains the twelve stars of the European Union.[27]
San Marino
World Year of Physics 2005
130,000 coins
14 October 2005[28]
Description: The centre of the coin contains a free interpretation of the allegorical painting of Galileo Galilei known as La fisica antica or The Study of the Planets. The year mark is inscribed below a globe standing on a desk. The mint mark (R) is to the right[6] of the image, while the engraver’s initials (LDS) appear on the left.[6] The inscription SAN MARINO is aligned in a semicircle above the image, while the inscription ANNO MONDIALE DELLA FISICA forms another semicircle below it. The outer ring bears the twelve stars of the European Union which are separated by the outer edges of a stylised atom depicted in the background of the entire coin.[29]
Finland
60th Anniversary of the Establishment of the United Nations and 50th Anniversary of Finland's UN Membership
2 million coins
25 October 2005[30]
Description: The centre of the coin contains part of a jigsaw puzzle showing a dove of peace. On the bottom of the centre part, the inscription FINLAND – UN and the year mark is displayed; the artist's initial (K) appears above the last digit of the year mark, while the mint mark (M) is between the inscription and the dove. The twelve stars of the European Union adorn the outer ring.[31]
Italy
1st Anniversary of the Signing of the European Constitution
18 million coins
29 October 2005[32]
Description: The centre of the coin features Europa and the bull (Zeus), together with the European Constitution; Europa is holding a pen over it, symbolising its signing. The mint mark (R) is to the upper right[6] of the image, the engraver's (Maria Carmela Colaneri) initials (MCC) to the lower right,[6] and the year mark is to the upper left.[6] The monogram of the Italian Republic (RI) is at the bottom of the centre part, slightly to the right.[6] The outer ring features the inscription COSTITUZIONE EUROPEA, forming almost a full semicircle, while the remainder of the outer ring is taken up by the twelve stars of the European Union.[33]
Vatican City
20th World Youth Day, held in Cologne in August 2005
100,000 coins
6 December 2005[34]
Description: The centre of the coin contains the Cologne Cathedral and a comet passing by above it. The inscription XX GIORNATA MONDIALE DELLA GIOVENTÙ is written in the upper part of the centre, separated by the tail of the comet and two of the cathedral's spires, one of which extends into the outer ring. The outer ring contains the inscription CITTÀ DEL VATICANO in the lower half and the twelve stars of the European Union in the upper half, with the year mark and the mint mark (R) separating them in the top centre.[35]
[edit] 2006 coinage
Image
Country
Feature
Volume
Date
Italy
Winter Olympics in Turin 2006
40 million coins
FDI:[8]10 January 2006FDC:[9] 10 February 2006[36]
Description: The coin depicts a racing skier and the visitor attraction of Turin, the Mole Antonelliana (which incidentally is also depicted on the Italian 2 cent coin), together with a large number of inscriptions: above the skier's head, GIOCHI INVERNALI ("Winter Games"); below the tower, the name of the host city TORINO; beside the skier's left[6] thigh, the engraver's initials (MCC); also to the left[6] of the skier, the year mark (written vertically); and finally, to the left[6] of the tower, the monogram of the Italian Republic (RI) and the mint mark (R). The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[37]
Luxembourg
25th Birthday of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume
1.1 million coins
11 January 2006[38]
Description: The coin depicts the effigy of Grand Duke Henri on the left[6] side of the inner part, superimposed on the effigy of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume on the right[6] side; both are looking to the left.[6] The year mark appears below the effigies, flanked by the letter S and the mint mark. The inscription LËTZEBUERG appears above the effigies along the upper edge of the inner part of the coin. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[39]
Germany
Holstentor in Lübeck (Schleswig-Holstein)First of the Bundesländer series
30 million coins
3 February 2006[40]
Description: The coin shows the Holstentor in Lübeck in the centre part, with the inscription SCHLESWIG–HOLSTEIN below the gate at the bottom of the centre part. The mint mark is to the right,[6] while the designer's initials (HH) are to the left.[6] The inscription BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND is written in a semicircle in the lower part of the outer ring, and the year mark at the top; the twelve stars of the European Union are positioned between the year mark and the inscription at the bottom, in two groups of six stars each.[41]
Belgium
Renovation of the Atomium in Brussels
5 million coins
10 April 2006[42]
Description: The coin shows the Atomium in the centre part, with the mint marks to the lower left[6] and right[6] of it. The designer's initials (LL) are to the right.[6] The letter B for Belgium is written at the top of the outer ring, and the year mark at the bottom; the twelve stars of the European Union are positioned between the year mark and the inscription at the top, in two groups of six stars each.[43]
Finland
1st Centenary of the Introduction of Universal and Equal Suffrage
2.5 million coins
4 October 2006[44]
Description: The coin shows two stylised faces in the centre part, one male and the other female; they are separated by a thin curved line. Two capital M's appear to the right[6] of each face, one of them the mint mark and the other one the artist's initial. On the right[6] side, the date of the introduction of universal and equal suffrage in Finland (1. 10. 1906) is inscribed, while the left[6] side of the coin contains the year mark and the country abbreviation (20 FI 06). The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[45]
Image:€2 commemorative coin San Marino 2006.jpg
San Marino
500th Anniversary of the Death of Christopher Columbus
120,000 coins
17 October 2006[46]
Description: A portrait of Christopher Columbus (looking to the left[6]) before a background of the three caravels (the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa María), which he used in his first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, forms the central part of the coin's design. At the top of the inner part is the inscription SAN MARINO together with a compass rose, in the centre is the mint mark R, and at the bottom is a cartouche containing the inscription 1506 — 2006 and the initials of the designer (LDS). The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[47]
Vatican City
500th Anniversary of the Swiss Guard
100,000 coins
9 November 2006[48]
Description: The centre part of the coin features a member of the Swiss Guard taking his oath on the flag of the Swiss Guard, facing the left[6] side. In the top part of the inner circle, the inscription GUARDIA SVIZZERA PONTIFICIA surrounds the guard, while the bottom part carries the inscription CITTÁ DEL VATICANO. The guard is surrounded by four other inscriptions, with the year 1506 and the signature of the designer O. ROSSI to his right[6] and the year mark 2006 and the mint mark R to his left.[6] The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[49]
[edit] 2007 coinage
Image
Country
Feature
Volume
Date
Germany
Schwerin Castle (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)Second of the Bundesländer series
30 million coins
2 February 2007[50]
Description: The centre part of the coin shows a representation of Schwerin Castle. The inscription MECKLENBURG–VORPOMMERN and the engraver's initials HH appear underneath while the mint mark appears above. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin, with the year mark inscribed at the top of the outer ring.[51]
Luxembourg
Grand Ducal Palace
1.1 million coins
2 February 2007[52]
Description: The inner part of the coin design is divided into two halves: The left side[6] shows Grand Duke Henri (looking to the right[6]), while the Grand Ducal Palace is shown on the right side.[6] Between the Grand Ducal Palace and the outer ring of the coin, the year mark is inscribed vertically, with the engraver's initials above and the mint mark below. The inscription LËTZEBUERG appears superimposed on the two elements of the main design of the coin. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[53]
European Union
50th Anniversary of the Signature of the Treaty of Rome
87.453 million coins
25 March 2007[54]
• Austria
Inscriptions: VERTRAG VON ROM 50 JAHRE, EUROPA, REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH
9 million coins
• Belgium
Inscriptions: PACTVM ROMANVM QVINQVAGENARIVM, EUROPEA, BELGIQUE–BELGIE–BELGIEN
5 million coins
• Finland
Inscriptions: ROOMAN SOPIMUS 50 V, EUROOPPA, SUOMI FINLAND
1.4 million coins
• France
Inscriptions: TRAITÉ DE ROME 50 ANS, EUROPE, RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE
9.4 million coins
• Germany
Inscriptions: RÖMISCHE VERTRÄGE 50 JAHRE, EUROPA, BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND
30 million coins
• Greece
Inscriptions: ΣΥΝΘΗΚΗ ΤΗΣ ΡΩΜΗΣ 50 XPONIA, EYPΩΠΗ, ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ
4 million coins
• Ireland
Inscriptions: CONRADH NA RÓIMHE 50 BLIAIN, AN EORAIP, ÉIRE (all in Gaelic script)
4.82 million coins
• Italy
Inscriptions: TRATTATI DI ROMA 50° ANNIVERSARIO, EUROPA, REPUBBLICA ITALIANA
5 million coins
• Luxembourg
Inscriptions: TRAITÉ DE ROME 50 ANS, EUROPE, LËTZEBUERG
2.1 million coins
• Netherlands
Inscriptions: VERDRAG VAN ROME 50 JAAR, EUROPA, KONINKRIJK DER NEDERLANDEN
6.333 million coins
• Portugal
Inscriptions: TRATADO DE ROMA 50 ANOS, EUROPA, PORTUGAL
2 million coins
• Slovenia
Inscriptions: RIMSKA POGODBA 50 LET, EVROPA, SLOVENIJA
400,000 coins
• Spain
Inscriptions: TRATADO DE ROMA 50 AÑOS, EUROPA, ESPAÑA
8 million coins
Description: The centre part of the coin shows the treaty signed by the original six member states of the European Coal and Steel Community, on a background symbolising Michelangelo's paving on the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome where the treaty was signed. The translation of EUROPE is inscribed above the book, but within the central design, whereas the translation of TREATY OF ROME 50 YEARS appears above the design. The year mark and the name of the issuing country are inscribed below the design, and the twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin. (The location of the mint mark (and the engraver's initials, if they are shown) differs between the thirteen different versions.)[55]
Due to special laws requiring that every coin bear the incumbent Grand Duke's portrait, the Luxembourgish edition of the common €2 commemorative coin differs slightly from the others in addition to the translated inscriptions, since a latent image of the Grand Duke's portrait was added (as required by national law).[56] A similar Dutch law, which requires the portrait of the current head of state of the Netherlands and the words NAME (Koning/Koningin) der Nederlanden to appear on all coins issued by the Netherlands (for example, currently Beatrix Koningin der Nederlanden) was amended so that the Netherlands could take part in this program; the amendment was only in effect for the issuance of this coin. Furthermore, due to Belgium's special multilingual society, the Belgian coin features the inscription PACTVM ROMANVM QVINQVAGENARIVM in Latin.
The three micro-states which also use the euro due to an official agreement with the European Union (Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City) did not issue this coin, as they are not member states of the European Union. However, some member states of the European Union which had not yet introduced the euro also took part in this program. For example, Cyprus issued a £1 coin and Hungary a 50 Ft coin with the same design.
Vatican City
80th Birthday of Pope Benedict XVI
100,000 coins
16 April 2007[57]
Description: Forthcoming.
Portugal
Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union
2 million coins
FDI:[8] June 1, 2007FDC:[9] July 1, 2007[58]
Description: The inner part of the coin shows a cork oak (Quercus suber) taking up most of the coin's design; under the branches, on the left hand side,[6] is the coat of arms of Portugal and on the right hand side the word POR TU GAL written over three lines. The inscription 2007 PRESIDÊNCIA DO CONSELHO DA UE is written in a semicircle along the bottom of the inner part, with the artist's signature on the left[6] and the mint mark near the coat of arms. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[59]
Monaco
25th Anniversary of the Death of Grace Kelly
20,001 coins
.. July 2007[60]
Description: On the inner part of the coin there is an effigy of Grace Kelly in profile, facing to the right. MONACO, the mint mark, the year mark and the engraver's mark are engraved in an arc at the bottom right of the inner part. The name of the artist R. B. BARON is engraved under the Kelly's hair. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[61]
San Marino
200th Birthday of Giuseppe Garibaldi
130,000 coins
9 October 2007[62]
Description: Forthcoming.
[edit] 2008 coinage
Image
Country
Feature
Volume
Date
Germany
St. Michaelis' Church (Hamburg)Third of the Bundesländer series
unknown
2 February 2008[63]
Description: Forthcoming
Slovenia
500th Birthday of Primož Trubar
1,000,000
unknown
Description: Forthcoming
[edit] 2009 coinage
Image
Country
Feature
Volume
Date
Germany
Ludwigskirche in Saarbrücken (Saarland)Fourth of the Bundesländer series
unknown
2 February 2009[64]
Description: Forthcoming
[edit] German Bundesländer series
Germany started the commemorative coin series Die 16 Bundesländer der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (The 16 States of the Federal Republic of Germany) in 2006, which will continue until 2021. The year in which the coin for a specific state is issued coincides with that state's Presidency of the Bundesrat.[65] The coins issued are:
Year
Number
State
Design
2006
1
Schleswig-Holstein
Holstentor in Lübeck
2007
2
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Schwerin Castle
The other fourteen coins will be issued in the following years; note that some designs are not yet finalised and still subject to change. (Originally, the designs for Hamburg and Bavaria were to be the Landungsbrücken and the Munich Frauenkirche, respectively.)[65]
Year
Number
State
Design
2008
3
Hamburg
St. Michaelis' Church
2009
4
Saarland
Ludwigskirche in Saarbrücken (German Wikipedia article)
2010
5
Bremen
City Hall (German Wikipedia article)
2011
6
North Rhine-Westphalia
Cologne Cathedral
2012
7
Bavaria
Neuschwanstein Castle
2013
8
Baden-Württemberg
Maulbronn Abbey
2014
9
Lower Saxony
Hanover New City Hall
2015
10
Hesse
Römer in Frankfurt am Main
2016
11
Saxony
Zwinger Palace in Dresden
2017
12
Rhineland-Palatinate
Porta Nigra in Trier
2018
13
Berlin
Reichstag
2019
14
Saxony-Anhalt
Cathedral of Magdeburg
2020
15
Thuringia
Wartburg Castle in Eisenach
2021
16
Brandenburg
Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam
The series is similar to the United States' State Quarters series, which is issuing 50 coins, five per year between 1999 and 2008.
[edit] Notes
^ European Commission (2006-05-05). Different types of euro coins. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
^ (15 October 2003) "OJ 2003/C 247/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ (18 July 2005) "OJ 2005/L 186/01". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ Bank of Finland (2006-12-27). Designs of euro coins will be amended in 2007. Press release. Retrieved on 2007-04-22.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2004 — Greece (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb In heraldry, directions are often described as they would appear to the bearer of a coat of arms, rather than as they would appear to the viewer. Therefore, the following descriptions will use "facing to the left" when it would appear to the layman that the person depicted is facing to the right.
^ (15 April 2004) "OJ 2004/C 91/06". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ a b c d FDI = first date of issue
^ a b c d FDC = first date of circulation
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2004 — Finland (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (30 September 2004) "OJ 2004/C 243/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2004 — Luxembourg (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (30 September 2004) "OJ 2004/C 243/05". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2004 — Italy (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (18 December 2004) "OJ 2004/C 313/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2004 — San Marino (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (3 December 2004) "OJ 2004/C 298/02". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2004 — Vatican (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (28 December 2004) "OJ 2004/C 321/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — Luxembourg (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (15 January 2005) "OJ 2005/C 11/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — Belgium (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (11 March 2005) "OJ 2005/C 61/08". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — Spain (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (28 May 2005) "OJ 2005/C 131/09". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — Austria (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (11 March 2005) "OJ 2005/C 61/07". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — San Marino (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (4 October 2005) "OJ 2005/C 244/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — Finland (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (4 October 2005) "OJ 2005/C 244/04". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — Italy (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (16 November 2005) "OJ 2005/C 283/06". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — Vatican (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (16 November 2005) "OJ 2005/C 283/07". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2006 — Italy (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (9 February 2006) "OJ 2006/C 33/05". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2006 — Luxembourg (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (27 January 2006) "OJ 2006/C 20/10". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2006 — Germany (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (9 February 2006) "OJ 2006/C 33/04". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2006 — Belgium (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (3 March 2006) "OJ 2006/C 53/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2006 — Finland (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (14 October 2006) "OJ 2006/C 248/02". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2006 — San Marino (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (14 October 2006) "OJ 2006/C 248/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2006 — Vatican (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (28 October 2006) "OJ 2006/C 260/06". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2007 — Germany (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (4 April 2007) "OJ 2007/C 76/02". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2007 — Luxembourg (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (8 March 2007) "OJ 2007/C 53/02". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Treaty of Rome 50{th Anniversary Commemorative Designs (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (21 March 2007) "OJ 2007/C 65/04". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website- 2 Euro Treaty of Rome 50th Anniversary Commemorative Design- Luxembourg (2007-03-23). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2007 — Vatican (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2007 — Portugal (2007-05-16). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (16 May 2007) "OJ 2007/C 110/05". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2007 — San Marino (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (25 July 2007) "OJ 2007/C 172/06". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2007 — San Marino (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2008 — Germany (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2009 — Germany (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ a b The Euro Information Website — FAQ: Bundesländer Series (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
The basis for the commemorative coins derived from a decision of the European Council, which repealed the prohibition of changing the national obverse sides of euro coins from 1 January 2004 onwards.[2] However, a number of recommendations and restrictions still apply.
Two restrictions concern the design. For one, nothing has changed about the fact that euro coins have a common reverse side, so only the national obverse sides may be changed. Additionally, the standard national obverse sides per se should not be changed before 2008 at the earliest, unless the head of state depicted on some of the coins changes before then. (This clause already came into effect for Monaco and the Vatican City, whose heads of state — Rainier III and Pope John Paul II respectively — died in 2005 and whose national obverse sides were changed for 2006.)
Further regulations restrict the frequency and number of commemorative coin issues. Each member state shall only issue one commemorative coin per year, and it shall only be denominated as a €2 coin. The total number of such coins put into circulation per year shouldn't surpass the higher of the following two numbers:
0.1 per cent of the total number of €2 coins put into circulation by all members of the eurozone. This limit can exceptionally be increased to up to 2.0 per cent if the coin commemorates a very important and noteworthy event; in this case, the member state issuing this higher number of coins should refrain from putting any commemorative coins into circulation for the following four years.
5.0 per cent of the total number of €2 coins put into circulation by the member state issuing the €2 commemorative coin.
Another decision[3] added two more guidelines regarding the design of the coins. The state issuing a coin should in some way clearly be identified on the obverse side, either by stating the full name or a clearly identifiable abbreviation of it; and neither name nor the denomination of the coin should be repeated on the obverse, as it is already featured on the common reverse side.
These restrictions do not apply retroactively; only new designs — the national obverse sides for regular issues of states newly joining the euro or of eurozone states which change their design, and €2 commemorative coins issued from 2006 onwards — are subject to them. However, the five countries whose designs violated the rules (Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany and Greece) will have to change their design in the near future, which Finland already did for 2007.[4]
[edit] Issues
has issued €2 commem. coins has not yet issued €2 commem. coins not part of the eurozone
As of July 2007, twelve countries have issued €2 commemorative coins (Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Portugal, San Marino, Spain and the Vatican City), with Greece being the first country to issue this type of coin. Four eurozone countries have not yet issued such coins (France, Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovenia); Slovenia plans to do so in 2008, and there has also been common Treaty of Rome €2 commemorative coin issued by all eurozone member states in 2007.
Country
Issues
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
reg.
TOR
Austria
2
Y
Y
Belgium
4
Y
Y
Y
Cyprus
0
Finland
5
Y
Y
Y
Y
France
1
Y
Germany
4
Y
Y
Y
S
S
Greece
2
Y
Y
Ireland
1
Y
Italy
4
Y
Y
Y
Y
Luxembourg
5
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Malta
0
Monaco
1
Y
Netherlands
1
Y
Portugal
2
Y
Y
San Marino
4
Y
Y
Y
S
Slovenia
1
Y
S
Spain
2
Y
Y
Vatican City
4
Y
Y
Y
Y
Total
43
6
8
7
6
13
2
1
Y – yes
not yet part of the eurozone
no
S – scheduled
The face value of the coins is typically less than their market value of between €3 and €12. The exceptions are San Marino and the Vatican City, where coins from the former are regularly sold for between €30 and €40, while coins from the latter are very rarely obtained for less than €100.
Issued designs are made public in the Official Journal of the European Union (references to these publications are given in the tables below).
Note: In heraldry, directions are often described as they would appear to the bearer of a coat of arms, rather than as they would appear to the viewer. Therefore, the following descriptions will use "facing to the left" when it would appear to the layman that the person depicted is facing to the right.
[edit] 2004 coinage
Image
Country
Feature
Volume
Date
Greece
Summer Olympics in Athens 2004
50 million coins
14 March 2004[5]
Description: The Discobolus (a classical Greek sculpture by Myron) is depicted in the centre of the coin. To the right[6] of it is the logo of the Olympic games (ATHENS 2004) and the five Olympic Rings, while to the left[6] the denomination of the coin in Greek is given (2 ΕΥΡΩ). The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design. The year mark is split around the star in the bottom centre (20*04), and the mint mark is to the upper right[6] of the statue's head.[7]
Finland
Fifth Enlargement of the European Union in 2004
1 million coins
FDI:[8] 1 June 2004FDC:[9] 1 July 2004[10]
Description: The coin's design resembles a stylised pillar from which ten sprouts grow upwards. This is a metaphorical theme: The ten sprouts represent the growth of the European Union (i.e., the 2004 enlargement which added ten new member states), while the pillar represents the foundation for the growth. Near the bottom of the coin, below the pillar, the word EU is written, and together with the left[6] side of the pillar, representing the Greek small letter "ρ" (rho), it reads "euro". The twelve stars of the European Union adorn the outer ring together with the year mark, which is at the top of the ring.[11]
Luxembourg
Effigy and Monogram of Grand Duke Henri
2.49 million coins
23 June 2004[12]
Description: On the right[6] side of the centre part of the coin, the effigy of Grand Duke Henri is depicted, looking to the left.[6] The left[6] side displays his monogram (the letter H topped with a crown). The twelve stars of the European Union are also on the left[6] side of the inner part, surrounding the monogram in a semi-circular form. The year mark, the mint mark and the engraver's initials are written in circular shape at the top of the outer ring, together with the word LËTZEBUERG ("Luxembourg" in Luxembourgish), while the words HENRI — Grand-Duc de Luxembourg appear at the bottom of the ring.[13]
Italy
Fifth Decade of the World Food Programme
16 million coins
15 December 2004[14]
Description: In the centre of the coin is a globe, tilted to the left.[6] Three ears emerge from behind the globe, reaching out to cross the outer ring; these are maize, rice and wheat, representing the world's basic sources of nourishment. The letters R and I, superimposed over one another, are to the left[6] of the globe (representing Repubblica Italiana), and below them are the engraver's (Uliana Pernazza) initials (a combination of the letters U and P). The mint mark (R) is to the upper right[6] of the globe, the year mark is below it, and the twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring, grouped into three batches of four stars each, separated by the three ears.[15]
San Marino
Bartolomeo Borghesi
110,000 coins
15 December 2004[16]
Description: The central piece of this coin is a bust of the famous historian and numismatist Bartolomeo Borghesi. It is surrounded by numerous inscriptions in the centre of the coin: SAN MARINO to the left[6] of the bust, BARTOLOMEO BORGHESI, the mint mark (R) and the engraver's initials (E.L.F.) to the right[6] of it. On the outer ring, the coin displays the twelve stars of the European Union and the year mark (bottom centre).[17]
Vatican City
75th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Vatican City State
85,000 coins
15 December 2004[18]
Description: The central part of the coin depicts a schematic representation of the perimeter walls of the Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica in the foreground, together with the inscriptions 75o ANNO DELLO STATO (to the right[6]), 1929–2004 and the mint mark (R) (both to the left[6]). In addition to these, the name of the designer (VEROI) and the initials of the engraver (L.D.S. INC.) are written in the lower left[6] in smaller print. The outer ring is adorned by the twelve stars of the European Union and the inscription CITTÀ DEL VATICANO.[19]
[edit] 2005 coinage
Image
Country
Feature
Volume
Date
Luxembourg
50th Birthday of Grand Duke Henri, 5th Anniversary of his Accession to the Throne and 100th Anniversary of the Death of Grand Duke Adolphe
2.8 million coins
15 January 2005[20]
Description: In the centre of the coin, the effigies of the Grand Dukes Henri and Adolphe are displayed, both looking to the left,[6] with Henri's superimposed on Adolphe's. The inscription GRANDS-DUCS DE LUXEMBOURG appears above the effigies, while the inscriptions HENRI *1955 and ADOLPHE †1905 are written below the respective effegies. The outer ring of the coin contains the twelve stars of the European Union, placed between the letters of the word LËTZEBUERG and the year mark, which is centred below the effigies positioned between the engraver's initial (S) on the right[6] and the mint mark on the left.[6][21]
Belgium
Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union
6 million coins
FDI:[8] March 1, 2005FDC:[9] April 1, 2005[22]
Description: In the centre of the coin, the effigies of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and King Albert II of the Belgians are depicted, looking right.[6] The engraver's initials (LL) are in the lower left,[6] while the year mark is below the effigies. On the outer circle, the twelve stars of the European Union are displayed, along with the mint mark on the bottom, the monogram of Grand-Duke Henri to the left[6] and the monogram of King Albert II to the right.[6][23]
Spain
4th Centenary of the first edition of Miguel de Cervantes' El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha
8 million coins
1 April 2005[24]
Description: The centre of the coin displays Don Quixote holding a lance, with the windmills from one of his most well-known escapades in the background. The inscription ESPAÑA is impressed into the surface of the coin to the right[6] of the image, with the mint mark (an M topped by a crown) below. The twelve stars of the European Union are placed on the outer ring, with the four on the left[6] side impressed into the surface of the coin, as well, and the year mark placed between three of the stars (*20*05*) at the bottom.[25]
Austria
50th Anniversary of the Austrian State Treaty
7 million coins
11 May 2005[26]
Description: In the centre of the coin is a depiction of the seals and signatures of the Austrian State Treaty, signed by the foreign ministers of the Allied occupying forces (Vyacheslav Molotov for the Soviet Union, John Foster Dulles for the United States, Harold Macmillan for the United Kingdom and Antoine Pinay for France), the High Commissioners of the four sectors, as well as the Foreign Minister of Austria (Leopold Figl) on 15 May 1955. The inscription 50 JAHRE STAATSVERTRAG is above the seals, while the year mark is below it; in the background, vertical stripes serve as a heraldic depiction of Austria's national flag (red-white-red). The outer ring contains the twelve stars of the European Union.[27]
San Marino
World Year of Physics 2005
130,000 coins
14 October 2005[28]
Description: The centre of the coin contains a free interpretation of the allegorical painting of Galileo Galilei known as La fisica antica or The Study of the Planets. The year mark is inscribed below a globe standing on a desk. The mint mark (R) is to the right[6] of the image, while the engraver’s initials (LDS) appear on the left.[6] The inscription SAN MARINO is aligned in a semicircle above the image, while the inscription ANNO MONDIALE DELLA FISICA forms another semicircle below it. The outer ring bears the twelve stars of the European Union which are separated by the outer edges of a stylised atom depicted in the background of the entire coin.[29]
Finland
60th Anniversary of the Establishment of the United Nations and 50th Anniversary of Finland's UN Membership
2 million coins
25 October 2005[30]
Description: The centre of the coin contains part of a jigsaw puzzle showing a dove of peace. On the bottom of the centre part, the inscription FINLAND – UN and the year mark is displayed; the artist's initial (K) appears above the last digit of the year mark, while the mint mark (M) is between the inscription and the dove. The twelve stars of the European Union adorn the outer ring.[31]
Italy
1st Anniversary of the Signing of the European Constitution
18 million coins
29 October 2005[32]
Description: The centre of the coin features Europa and the bull (Zeus), together with the European Constitution; Europa is holding a pen over it, symbolising its signing. The mint mark (R) is to the upper right[6] of the image, the engraver's (Maria Carmela Colaneri) initials (MCC) to the lower right,[6] and the year mark is to the upper left.[6] The monogram of the Italian Republic (RI) is at the bottom of the centre part, slightly to the right.[6] The outer ring features the inscription COSTITUZIONE EUROPEA, forming almost a full semicircle, while the remainder of the outer ring is taken up by the twelve stars of the European Union.[33]
Vatican City
20th World Youth Day, held in Cologne in August 2005
100,000 coins
6 December 2005[34]
Description: The centre of the coin contains the Cologne Cathedral and a comet passing by above it. The inscription XX GIORNATA MONDIALE DELLA GIOVENTÙ is written in the upper part of the centre, separated by the tail of the comet and two of the cathedral's spires, one of which extends into the outer ring. The outer ring contains the inscription CITTÀ DEL VATICANO in the lower half and the twelve stars of the European Union in the upper half, with the year mark and the mint mark (R) separating them in the top centre.[35]
[edit] 2006 coinage
Image
Country
Feature
Volume
Date
Italy
Winter Olympics in Turin 2006
40 million coins
FDI:[8]10 January 2006FDC:[9] 10 February 2006[36]
Description: The coin depicts a racing skier and the visitor attraction of Turin, the Mole Antonelliana (which incidentally is also depicted on the Italian 2 cent coin), together with a large number of inscriptions: above the skier's head, GIOCHI INVERNALI ("Winter Games"); below the tower, the name of the host city TORINO; beside the skier's left[6] thigh, the engraver's initials (MCC); also to the left[6] of the skier, the year mark (written vertically); and finally, to the left[6] of the tower, the monogram of the Italian Republic (RI) and the mint mark (R). The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[37]
Luxembourg
25th Birthday of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume
1.1 million coins
11 January 2006[38]
Description: The coin depicts the effigy of Grand Duke Henri on the left[6] side of the inner part, superimposed on the effigy of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume on the right[6] side; both are looking to the left.[6] The year mark appears below the effigies, flanked by the letter S and the mint mark. The inscription LËTZEBUERG appears above the effigies along the upper edge of the inner part of the coin. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[39]
Germany
Holstentor in Lübeck (Schleswig-Holstein)First of the Bundesländer series
30 million coins
3 February 2006[40]
Description: The coin shows the Holstentor in Lübeck in the centre part, with the inscription SCHLESWIG–HOLSTEIN below the gate at the bottom of the centre part. The mint mark is to the right,[6] while the designer's initials (HH) are to the left.[6] The inscription BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND is written in a semicircle in the lower part of the outer ring, and the year mark at the top; the twelve stars of the European Union are positioned between the year mark and the inscription at the bottom, in two groups of six stars each.[41]
Belgium
Renovation of the Atomium in Brussels
5 million coins
10 April 2006[42]
Description: The coin shows the Atomium in the centre part, with the mint marks to the lower left[6] and right[6] of it. The designer's initials (LL) are to the right.[6] The letter B for Belgium is written at the top of the outer ring, and the year mark at the bottom; the twelve stars of the European Union are positioned between the year mark and the inscription at the top, in two groups of six stars each.[43]
Finland
1st Centenary of the Introduction of Universal and Equal Suffrage
2.5 million coins
4 October 2006[44]
Description: The coin shows two stylised faces in the centre part, one male and the other female; they are separated by a thin curved line. Two capital M's appear to the right[6] of each face, one of them the mint mark and the other one the artist's initial. On the right[6] side, the date of the introduction of universal and equal suffrage in Finland (1. 10. 1906) is inscribed, while the left[6] side of the coin contains the year mark and the country abbreviation (20 FI 06). The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[45]
Image:€2 commemorative coin San Marino 2006.jpg
San Marino
500th Anniversary of the Death of Christopher Columbus
120,000 coins
17 October 2006[46]
Description: A portrait of Christopher Columbus (looking to the left[6]) before a background of the three caravels (the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa María), which he used in his first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, forms the central part of the coin's design. At the top of the inner part is the inscription SAN MARINO together with a compass rose, in the centre is the mint mark R, and at the bottom is a cartouche containing the inscription 1506 — 2006 and the initials of the designer (LDS). The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[47]
Vatican City
500th Anniversary of the Swiss Guard
100,000 coins
9 November 2006[48]
Description: The centre part of the coin features a member of the Swiss Guard taking his oath on the flag of the Swiss Guard, facing the left[6] side. In the top part of the inner circle, the inscription GUARDIA SVIZZERA PONTIFICIA surrounds the guard, while the bottom part carries the inscription CITTÁ DEL VATICANO. The guard is surrounded by four other inscriptions, with the year 1506 and the signature of the designer O. ROSSI to his right[6] and the year mark 2006 and the mint mark R to his left.[6] The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[49]
[edit] 2007 coinage
Image
Country
Feature
Volume
Date
Germany
Schwerin Castle (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)Second of the Bundesländer series
30 million coins
2 February 2007[50]
Description: The centre part of the coin shows a representation of Schwerin Castle. The inscription MECKLENBURG–VORPOMMERN and the engraver's initials HH appear underneath while the mint mark appears above. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin, with the year mark inscribed at the top of the outer ring.[51]
Luxembourg
Grand Ducal Palace
1.1 million coins
2 February 2007[52]
Description: The inner part of the coin design is divided into two halves: The left side[6] shows Grand Duke Henri (looking to the right[6]), while the Grand Ducal Palace is shown on the right side.[6] Between the Grand Ducal Palace and the outer ring of the coin, the year mark is inscribed vertically, with the engraver's initials above and the mint mark below. The inscription LËTZEBUERG appears superimposed on the two elements of the main design of the coin. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[53]
European Union
50th Anniversary of the Signature of the Treaty of Rome
87.453 million coins
25 March 2007[54]
• Austria
Inscriptions: VERTRAG VON ROM 50 JAHRE, EUROPA, REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH
9 million coins
• Belgium
Inscriptions: PACTVM ROMANVM QVINQVAGENARIVM, EUROPEA, BELGIQUE–BELGIE–BELGIEN
5 million coins
• Finland
Inscriptions: ROOMAN SOPIMUS 50 V, EUROOPPA, SUOMI FINLAND
1.4 million coins
• France
Inscriptions: TRAITÉ DE ROME 50 ANS, EUROPE, RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE
9.4 million coins
• Germany
Inscriptions: RÖMISCHE VERTRÄGE 50 JAHRE, EUROPA, BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND
30 million coins
• Greece
Inscriptions: ΣΥΝΘΗΚΗ ΤΗΣ ΡΩΜΗΣ 50 XPONIA, EYPΩΠΗ, ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ
4 million coins
• Ireland
Inscriptions: CONRADH NA RÓIMHE 50 BLIAIN, AN EORAIP, ÉIRE (all in Gaelic script)
4.82 million coins
• Italy
Inscriptions: TRATTATI DI ROMA 50° ANNIVERSARIO, EUROPA, REPUBBLICA ITALIANA
5 million coins
• Luxembourg
Inscriptions: TRAITÉ DE ROME 50 ANS, EUROPE, LËTZEBUERG
2.1 million coins
• Netherlands
Inscriptions: VERDRAG VAN ROME 50 JAAR, EUROPA, KONINKRIJK DER NEDERLANDEN
6.333 million coins
• Portugal
Inscriptions: TRATADO DE ROMA 50 ANOS, EUROPA, PORTUGAL
2 million coins
• Slovenia
Inscriptions: RIMSKA POGODBA 50 LET, EVROPA, SLOVENIJA
400,000 coins
• Spain
Inscriptions: TRATADO DE ROMA 50 AÑOS, EUROPA, ESPAÑA
8 million coins
Description: The centre part of the coin shows the treaty signed by the original six member states of the European Coal and Steel Community, on a background symbolising Michelangelo's paving on the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome where the treaty was signed. The translation of EUROPE is inscribed above the book, but within the central design, whereas the translation of TREATY OF ROME 50 YEARS appears above the design. The year mark and the name of the issuing country are inscribed below the design, and the twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin. (The location of the mint mark (and the engraver's initials, if they are shown) differs between the thirteen different versions.)[55]
Due to special laws requiring that every coin bear the incumbent Grand Duke's portrait, the Luxembourgish edition of the common €2 commemorative coin differs slightly from the others in addition to the translated inscriptions, since a latent image of the Grand Duke's portrait was added (as required by national law).[56] A similar Dutch law, which requires the portrait of the current head of state of the Netherlands and the words NAME (Koning/Koningin) der Nederlanden to appear on all coins issued by the Netherlands (for example, currently Beatrix Koningin der Nederlanden) was amended so that the Netherlands could take part in this program; the amendment was only in effect for the issuance of this coin. Furthermore, due to Belgium's special multilingual society, the Belgian coin features the inscription PACTVM ROMANVM QVINQVAGENARIVM in Latin.
The three micro-states which also use the euro due to an official agreement with the European Union (Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City) did not issue this coin, as they are not member states of the European Union. However, some member states of the European Union which had not yet introduced the euro also took part in this program. For example, Cyprus issued a £1 coin and Hungary a 50 Ft coin with the same design.
Vatican City
80th Birthday of Pope Benedict XVI
100,000 coins
16 April 2007[57]
Description: Forthcoming.
Portugal
Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union
2 million coins
FDI:[8] June 1, 2007FDC:[9] July 1, 2007[58]
Description: The inner part of the coin shows a cork oak (Quercus suber) taking up most of the coin's design; under the branches, on the left hand side,[6] is the coat of arms of Portugal and on the right hand side the word POR TU GAL written over three lines. The inscription 2007 PRESIDÊNCIA DO CONSELHO DA UE is written in a semicircle along the bottom of the inner part, with the artist's signature on the left[6] and the mint mark near the coat of arms. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[59]
Monaco
25th Anniversary of the Death of Grace Kelly
20,001 coins
.. July 2007[60]
Description: On the inner part of the coin there is an effigy of Grace Kelly in profile, facing to the right. MONACO, the mint mark, the year mark and the engraver's mark are engraved in an arc at the bottom right of the inner part. The name of the artist R. B. BARON is engraved under the Kelly's hair. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.[61]
San Marino
200th Birthday of Giuseppe Garibaldi
130,000 coins
9 October 2007[62]
Description: Forthcoming.
[edit] 2008 coinage
Image
Country
Feature
Volume
Date
Germany
St. Michaelis' Church (Hamburg)Third of the Bundesländer series
unknown
2 February 2008[63]
Description: Forthcoming
Slovenia
500th Birthday of Primož Trubar
1,000,000
unknown
Description: Forthcoming
[edit] 2009 coinage
Image
Country
Feature
Volume
Date
Germany
Ludwigskirche in Saarbrücken (Saarland)Fourth of the Bundesländer series
unknown
2 February 2009[64]
Description: Forthcoming
[edit] German Bundesländer series
Germany started the commemorative coin series Die 16 Bundesländer der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (The 16 States of the Federal Republic of Germany) in 2006, which will continue until 2021. The year in which the coin for a specific state is issued coincides with that state's Presidency of the Bundesrat.[65] The coins issued are:
Year
Number
State
Design
2006
1
Schleswig-Holstein
Holstentor in Lübeck
2007
2
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Schwerin Castle
The other fourteen coins will be issued in the following years; note that some designs are not yet finalised and still subject to change. (Originally, the designs for Hamburg and Bavaria were to be the Landungsbrücken and the Munich Frauenkirche, respectively.)[65]
Year
Number
State
Design
2008
3
Hamburg
St. Michaelis' Church
2009
4
Saarland
Ludwigskirche in Saarbrücken (German Wikipedia article)
2010
5
Bremen
City Hall (German Wikipedia article)
2011
6
North Rhine-Westphalia
Cologne Cathedral
2012
7
Bavaria
Neuschwanstein Castle
2013
8
Baden-Württemberg
Maulbronn Abbey
2014
9
Lower Saxony
Hanover New City Hall
2015
10
Hesse
Römer in Frankfurt am Main
2016
11
Saxony
Zwinger Palace in Dresden
2017
12
Rhineland-Palatinate
Porta Nigra in Trier
2018
13
Berlin
Reichstag
2019
14
Saxony-Anhalt
Cathedral of Magdeburg
2020
15
Thuringia
Wartburg Castle in Eisenach
2021
16
Brandenburg
Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam
The series is similar to the United States' State Quarters series, which is issuing 50 coins, five per year between 1999 and 2008.
[edit] Notes
^ European Commission (2006-05-05). Different types of euro coins. Retrieved on 2007-03-17.
^ (15 October 2003) "OJ 2003/C 247/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ (18 July 2005) "OJ 2005/L 186/01". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ Bank of Finland (2006-12-27). Designs of euro coins will be amended in 2007. Press release. Retrieved on 2007-04-22.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2004 — Greece (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb In heraldry, directions are often described as they would appear to the bearer of a coat of arms, rather than as they would appear to the viewer. Therefore, the following descriptions will use "facing to the left" when it would appear to the layman that the person depicted is facing to the right.
^ (15 April 2004) "OJ 2004/C 91/06". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ a b c d FDI = first date of issue
^ a b c d FDC = first date of circulation
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2004 — Finland (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (30 September 2004) "OJ 2004/C 243/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2004 — Luxembourg (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (30 September 2004) "OJ 2004/C 243/05". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2004 — Italy (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (18 December 2004) "OJ 2004/C 313/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2004 — San Marino (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (3 December 2004) "OJ 2004/C 298/02". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2004 — Vatican (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (28 December 2004) "OJ 2004/C 321/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — Luxembourg (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (15 January 2005) "OJ 2005/C 11/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — Belgium (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (11 March 2005) "OJ 2005/C 61/08". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — Spain (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (28 May 2005) "OJ 2005/C 131/09". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — Austria (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (11 March 2005) "OJ 2005/C 61/07". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — San Marino (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (4 October 2005) "OJ 2005/C 244/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — Finland (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (4 October 2005) "OJ 2005/C 244/04". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — Italy (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (16 November 2005) "OJ 2005/C 283/06". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2005 — Vatican (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (16 November 2005) "OJ 2005/C 283/07". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2006 — Italy (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (9 February 2006) "OJ 2006/C 33/05". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2006 — Luxembourg (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (27 January 2006) "OJ 2006/C 20/10". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2006 — Germany (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (9 February 2006) "OJ 2006/C 33/04". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2006 — Belgium (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (3 March 2006) "OJ 2006/C 53/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2006 — Finland (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (14 October 2006) "OJ 2006/C 248/02". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2006 — San Marino (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (14 October 2006) "OJ 2006/C 248/03". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2006 — Vatican (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (28 October 2006) "OJ 2006/C 260/06". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2007 — Germany (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (4 April 2007) "OJ 2007/C 76/02". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2007 — Luxembourg (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (8 March 2007) "OJ 2007/C 53/02". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Treaty of Rome 50{th Anniversary Commemorative Designs (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (21 March 2007) "OJ 2007/C 65/04". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website- 2 Euro Treaty of Rome 50th Anniversary Commemorative Design- Luxembourg (2007-03-23). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2007 — Vatican (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2007 — Portugal (2007-05-16). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (16 May 2007) "OJ 2007/C 110/05". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2007 — San Marino (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ (25 July 2007) "OJ 2007/C 172/06". Official Journal of the European Union.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2007 — San Marino (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2008 — Germany (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ The Euro Information Website — 2 Euro Commemorative Design 2009 — Germany (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
^ a b The Euro Information Website — FAQ: Bundesländer Series (2007-04-07). Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
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