€2 commemorative coins

2008/9 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: Currency

The new reverse side of all €2 coins from 2007/08 onwards.
The new reverse side of all €2 coins from 2007/08 onwards.
The old reverse side for €2 coins minted before 2007/08.
The old reverse side for €2 coins minted before 2007/08.

€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 2008, forty-nine variations of €2 commemorative coins have been minted—six in 2004, eight in 2005, seven in 2006, twenty in 2007 (including the thirteen versions of the common issue) and eight in 2008. At least five more are planned to be minted in 2008, and three more in 2009 (plus a second common issue, with sixteen states to participate, as Slovakia joins the eurozone on 2009- 01-01). €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.

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The basis for the commemorative coins derived from a decision of the European Council, which repealed the prohibition of changing the national obverse sides of euro coins from 1 January 2004 onwards. 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.) The moratorium on these changes will be reviewed for extension in 2008.

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 should not 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 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 and Belgium for 2008.

Issues

     has issued €2 commem. coins      has not yet indep. issued €2 commem. coins      not part of the eurozone
     has issued €2 commem. coins      has not yet indep. issued €2 commem. coins      not part of the eurozone

As of May 2008, fourteen countries have independently issued €2 commemorative coins (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain and the Vatican City), with Greece being the first country to issue this type of coin. Four eurozone countries have not yet independently issued such coins (Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the Netherlands); Cyprus and Malta plan 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. (Another one is planned for 2009.)

Country Issues 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
reg. ToR reg. euro
Flag of Austria Austria 2/1 Y Y S
Flag of Belgium Belgium 4/1 Y Y Y Y S
Flag of Cyprus Cyprus 0/2 S S
Flag of Finland Finland 5/2 Y Y Y Y Y S S
Flag of France France 2/1 Y Y S
Flag of Germany Germany 4/2 Y Y Y Y S S
Flag of Greece Greece 2/1 Y Y S
Flag of Ireland Ireland 1/1 Y S
Flag of Italy Italy 5/1 Y Y Y Y Y S
Flag of Luxembourg Luxembourg 6/2 Y Y Y Y Y Y S S
Flag of Malta Malta 0/2 S S
Flag of Monaco Monaco 1/1 Y S
Flag of the Netherlands Netherlands 1/1 Y S
Flag of Portugal Portugal 3/1 Y Y Y S
Flag of San Marino San Marino 5/0 Y Y Y Y Y
Flag of Slovakia Slovakia 0/2 S S
Flag of Slovenia Slovenia 2/1 Y Y S
Flag of Spain Spain 2/1 Y Y S
Flag of the Vatican City Vatican City 4/1 Y Y Y Y S
Total 49/24 6 8 7 7 13 8/5 0/3 0/16
     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.

2004 coinage

Image Country Feature Volume Date
Greece 2004
Flag of Greece Greece Summer Olympics in Athens 2004 50 million coins 14 March 2004
Description: The Discobolus (a classical Greek sculpture by Myron) is depicted in the centre of the coin. To the right of it is the logo of the Olympic games (ATHENS 2004) and the five Olympic Rings, while to the left 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 of the statue's head.
 
Finland 2004
Flag of Finland Finland Fifth Enlargement of the European Union in 2004 1 million coins FDI: 1 June 2004
FDC: 1 July 2004
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 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.
 
Luxembourg 2004
Flag of Luxembourg Luxembourg Effigy and Monogram of Grand Duke Henri 2.49 million coins 23 June 2004
Description: On the right side of the centre part of the coin, the effigy of Grand Duke Henri is depicted, looking to the left. The left side displays his monogram (the letter H topped with a crown). The twelve stars of the European Union are also on the left 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.
 
Italy 2004
Flag of Italy Italy Fifth Decade of the World Food Programme 16 million coins 15 December 2004
Description: In the centre of the coin is a globe, tilted to the left. 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 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 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.
 
San Marino 2004
Flag of San Marino San Marino Bartolomeo Borghesi 110,000 coins 15 December 2004
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 of the bust, BARTOLOMEO BORGHESI, the mint mark (R) and the engraver's initials (E.L.F.) to the right of it. On the outer ring, the coin displays the twelve stars of the European Union and the year mark (bottom centre).
 
Vatican City 2004
Flag of the Vatican City Vatican City 75th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Vatican City State 85,000 coins 15 December 2004
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), 1929–2004 and the mint mark (R) (both to the left). 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 in smaller print. The outer ring is adorned by the twelve stars of the European Union and the inscription CITTÀ DEL VATICANO.

2005 coinage

Image Country Feature Volume Date
Luxembourg 2005
Flag of Luxembourg 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
Description: In the centre of the coin, the effigies of the Grand Dukes Henri and Adolphe are displayed, both looking to the left, 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 effigies. 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 S (for Suomi) on the right and the mint mark on the left.
 
Belgium 2005
Flag of Belgium Belgium Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union 6 million coins FDI: March 1, 2005
FDC: April 1, 2005
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. The engraver's initials (LL) are in the lower left, 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 right and the monogram of King Albert II to the left.
 
Spain 2005
Flag of Spain 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
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 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 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.
 
Austria 2005
Flag of Austria Austria 50th Anniversary of the Austrian State Treaty 7 million coins 11 May 2005
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.
 
San Marino 2005
Flag of San Marino San Marino World Year of Physics 2005 130,000 coins 14 October 2005
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 of the image, while the engraver’s initials (LDS) appear on the left. 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.
 
Finland 2005
Flag of Finland Finland 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of the United Nations and 50th Anniversary of Finland's UN Membership 2 million coins 25 October 2005
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.
 
Italy 2005
Flag of Italy Italy 1st Anniversary of the Signing of the European Constitution 18 million coins 29 October 2005
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 of the image, the engraver's ( Maria Carmela Colaneri) initials (MCC) to the lower right, and the year mark is to the upper left. The monogram of the Italian Republic (RI) is at the bottom of the centre part, slightly to the right. 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.
 
Vatican City 2005
Flag of the Vatican City Vatican City 20th World Youth Day, held in Cologne in August 2005 100,000 coins 6 December 2005
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.

2006 coinage

Image Country Feature Volume Date
Italy 2006
Flag of Italy Italy Winter Olympics in Turin 2006 40 million coins FDI: 10 January 2006
FDC: 10 February 2006
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 thigh, the engraver's initials (MCC); also to the left of the skier, the year mark (written vertically); and finally, to the left 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.
 
Luxembourg 2006
Flag of Luxembourg Luxembourg 25th Birthday of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume 1.1 million coins 11 January 2006
Description: The coin depicts the effigy of Grand Duke Henri on the left side of the inner part, superimposed on the effigy of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume on the right side; both are looking to the left. 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.
 
Germany 2006
Flag of Germany Germany Holstentor in Lübeck ( Schleswig-Holstein)
First of the Bundesländer series
30 million coins 3 February 2006
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, while the designer's initials (HH) are to the left. 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.
 
Belgium 2006
Flag of Belgium Belgium Renovation of the Atomium in Brussels 5 million coins 10 April 2006
Description: The coin shows the Atomium in the centre part, with the mint marks to the lower left and right of it. The designer's initials (LL) are to the right. 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.
 
Finland 2006
Flag of Finland Finland 1st Centenary of the Introduction of Universal and Equal Suffrage 2.5 million coins 4 October 2006
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 of each face, one of them the mint mark and the other one the artist's initial. On the right side, the date of the introduction of universal and equal suffrage in Finland (1. 10. 1906) is inscribed, while the left 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.
 
San Marino 2006
Flag of San Marino San Marino 500th Anniversary of the Death of Christopher Columbus 120,000 coins 17 October 2006
Description: A portrait of Christopher Columbus (looking to the left) 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.
 
Vatican City 2006
Flag of the Vatican City Vatican City 500th Anniversary of the Swiss Guard 100,000 coins 9 November 2006
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 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 and the year mark 2006 and the mint mark R to his left. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.

2007 coinage

Image Country Feature Volume Date
Germany 2007
Flag of Germany Germany Schwerin Castle ( Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)
Second of the Bundesländer series
30 million coins 2 February 2007
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.
 
Luxembourg 2007
Flag of Luxembourg Luxembourg Grand Ducal Palace 1.1 million coins 2 February 2007
Description: The inner part of the coin design is divided into two halves: The left side shows Grand Duke Henri (looking to the right), while the Grand Ducal Palace is shown on the right side. 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.
 
Vatican 2007
Flag of the Vatican City Vatican City 80th Birthday of Pope Benedict XVI 100,000 coins FDI: April 16, 2007
FDC: October 1, 2007
Description: The inner part of the coin features a bust of Pope Benedict XVI in profile facing to the right. The legend BENEDICTI XVI P.M. AETATIS ANNO LXXX CITTÀ DEL VATICANO is engraved surrounding the portrait. On the left hand side, the mintmark R, the year mark and the initials of the engraver M.C.C. INC. are written, while the right hand side shows the name of the author LONGO. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.
 
Portugal 2007
Flag of Portugal Portugal Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2 million coins FDI: June 1, 2007
FDC: July 1, 2007
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, 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 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.
 
Monaco 2007
Flag of Monaco Monaco 25th Anniversary of the Death of Grace Kelly 20,001 coins 1 July 2007
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 Princess' hair. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.
 
San Marino 2007
Flag of San Marino San Marino 200th Birthday of Giuseppe Garibaldi 130,000 coins 9 October 2007
Description: The inner circle of the coin features a portrait of Giuseppe Garibaldi. The inscription SAN MARINO and the year mark are engraved along the circle on the right and left sides respectively. The mint mark R and the initials of the author Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini, E.L.F., appear on the left side of the inner circle. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.
 
Finland 2007
Flag of Finland Finland 90th Anniversary of Finland's Independence 2 million coins 1 December 2007
Description: The centre part of the coin shows nine people rowing a boat with long oars. The year mark 2007 and the year 1917 (when Finland became independent) appear on the top and the bottom of the design respectively. The mint mark appears on the right side, and the inscription FI on the left side. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.

2007 commonly issued coin

Image Country Feature Volume Date
Basic design
Flag of Europe European Union 50th Anniversary of the Signature of the Treaty of Rome 87.453 million coins 25 March 2007
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.)
Image Country Volume
Austria ToR 2007
Flag of Austria Austria 9 million coins
Inscription: VERTRAG VON ROM 50 JAHRE, EUROPA, REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH
Belgium ToR 2007
Flag of Belgium Belgium 5 million coins
Inscription: PACTVM ROMANVM QVINQVAGENARIVM, EUROPEA, BELGIQUEBELGIEBELGIEN
Finland ToR 2007
Flag of Finland Finland 1.4 million coins
Inscription: ROOMAN SOPIMUS 50 V, EUROOPPA, SUOMI FINLAND
France ToR 2007
Flag of France France 9.4 million coins
Inscription: TRAITÉ DE ROME 50 ANS, EUROPE, RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE
Germany ToR 2007
Flag of Germany Germany 30 million coins
Inscription: RÖMISCHE VERTRÄGE 50 JAHRE, EUROPA, BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND
Greece ToR 2007
Flag of Greece Greece 4 million coins
Inscription: ΣΥΝΘΗΚΗ ΤΗΣ ΡΩΜΗΣ 50 XPONIA, EYPΩΠΗ, ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ
Ireland ToR 2007
Flag of Ireland Ireland 4.82 million coins
Inscription: CONRADH NA RÓIMHE 50 BLIAIN, AN EORAIP, ÉIRE
Italy ToR 2007
Flag of Italy Italy 5 million coins
Inscription: TRATTATI DI ROMA 50° ANNIVERSARIO, EUROPA, REPUBBLICA ITALIANA
Luxembourg ToR 2007
Flag of Luxembourg Luxembourg 2.1 million coins
Inscription: TRAITÉ DE ROME 50 ANS, EUROPE, LËTZEBUERG
Netherlands ToR 2007
Flag of the Netherlands Netherlands 6.333 million coins
Inscription: VERDRAG VAN ROME 50 JAAR, EUROPA, KONINKRIJK DER NEDERLANDEN
Portugal ToR 2007
Flag of Portugal Portugal 2 million coins
Inscription: TRATADO DE ROMA 50 ANOS, EUROPA, PORTUGAL
Slovenia ToR 2007
Flag of Slovenia Slovenia 400,000 coins
Inscription: RIMSKA POGODBA 50 LET, EVROPA, SLOVENIJA
Spain ToR 2007
Flag of Spain Spain 8 million coins
Inscription: TRATADO DE ROMA 50 AÑOS, EUROPA, ESPAÑA
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).

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 completely removed the requirement for €2 commemorative coins.

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.

2008 coinage

Image Country Feature Volume Date
Germany 2008
Flag of Germany Germany St. Michaelis' Church (Hamburg)
Third of the Bundesländer series
30 million coins 1 February 2008
Description: The inner part of the coin shows St. Michaelis's Church in Hamburg. The name of the federal State HAMBURG is inscribed beneath the image of the church. To the left of the church are the engraver's stylised initials OE and above it towards the centre the mint mark. The outer ring has the year mark inscribed at the top, six stars on each side and below them the words BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND.
 
Luxembourg 2008
Flag of Luxembourg Luxembourg Berg Castle 1.3 million coins 2 February 2008
Description: The inner part of the coin shows, in the foreground on the right side the effigy of Grand Duke Henri looking to the left and in the background on the left side the picture of Berg Castle. The year mark is flanked by the mint mark and the mint master mark of the engraving workshop at the top of the coin. The name of the issuing country LËTZEBUERG appears at the bottom of the design. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.
 
Italy 2008
Flag of Italy Italy 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 5 million coins April 2008
Description: The inner part of the coin shows a man and a woman with an olive branch, an ear of corn, a cogwheel and some barbed wire, symbols respectively representing the right to peace, food, work and freedom, along with the links of a broken chain which form the figure 60°. In the centre of the coin are the initials of the issuing country RI; to the right the year mark; to the left the initials MCC of the artist, Maria Carmela Colaneri, and the mint mark; at the bottom, a cartouche with the inscription DIRITTI UMANI. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.
 
San Marino 2008
Flag of San Marino San Marino European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 130,000 coins April 2008
Description: The inner part of the coin represents the different cultures of the five regions within the European continent, symbolized by five human silhouettes and the sacred texts of the different communities. Arched inscriptions complete the design: at the top, SAN MARINO, and below that the year mark; at the bottom, ANNO EUROPEO DEL DIALOGO INTERCULTURALE and the initials E.L.F. of the artist, Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini; and to the right, the mint mark. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.
 
Belgium 2008
Flag of Belgium Belgium 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 5 million coins April/May 2008
Description: The inner part of the coin shows curved lines around a rectangle marked with the figure 60. The year mark is inscribed above the rectangle and the words UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS appear below it. The name of the country in its three official languages (BELGIE – BELGIQUE – BELGIEN) is inscribed in a semi-circle below the design. The mint marks appear to the left and right of the design respectively. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.
 
Slovenia 2008
Flag of Slovenia Slovenia 500th Birthday of Primož Trubar 1 million coins May 2008
Description: The inner part of the coin depicts an effigy of Primož Trubar in right profile. On the right the inscriptions PRIMOŽ TRUBAR and 1508–1586 appear in two semi-circles, and towards the bottom left SLOVENIJA 2008 is inscribed (also in a semi-circle). The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.
 
France 2008
Flag of France France French Presidency of the Council of the European Union 20 million coins July 2008
Description: The inner part of the coin shows the inscription 2008

PRÉSIDENCE FRANÇAISE UNION EUROPÉENNE RF; the mint mark and the mintmaster's mark are located below, to the left and the right respectively. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.

 
Vatican City 2008
Flag of the Vatican City Vatican City Paul the Apostle 100,000 coins July 2008
Description: Forthcoming.
 
Flag of Malta Malta unknown 200,000 coins September 2008
Description: Forthcoming.
 
Portugal 2008
Flag of Portugal Portugal 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 600,000 coins 15 September 2008
Description: The inner part of the coin features the Portuguese coat of arms at the top, above the name of the issuing country PORTUGAL, the year mark and a geometric design in the bottom half of the centre. The legend 60 ANOS DA DECLARAÇÃO UNIVERSAL DOS DIREITOS HUMANOS adorns edge of the bottom two thirds of the inner ring and is followed by the inscription Esc. J. Duarte INCM in very small characters. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring of the coin.
 
Finland 2008
Flag of Finland Finland 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1.5 million coins October 2008
Description: Forthcoming.
 
Flag of Monaco Monaco 50th Birthday of Albert II, Prince of Monaco ... coins unknown
Description: Forthcoming.
 
Flag of Cyprus Cyprus ... ... coins unknown
Description: Forthcoming.

2009 coinage

Image Country Feature Volume Date
Flag of Luxembourg Luxembourg 90th Anniversary of Grand Duchess Charlotte's Accession to the Throne 1 million coins February 2009
Description: Forthcoming.
 
Germany 2009
Flag of Germany Germany Ludwigskirche in Saarbrücken ( Saarland)
Fourth of the Bundesländer series
... coins 2 February 2009
Description: Forthcoming.
 
Flag of Slovakia Slovakia 20th Anniversary of the Start of the Velvet Revolution 1 million coins 17 November 2009
Description: Forthcoming.

2009 commonly issued coin

Image Country Feature Volume Date
Flag of Europe European Union 10th Anniversary of the Introduction of the Euro. 90 million coins 1 January 2009
Description: Forthcoming.
The final design of the coin was chosen by electronic voting from 2008- 01-31 to 2008- 02-22, with the result announced on 2008- 02-25. The designs were pre-selected by the national mint directors of the eurozone.

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. The coins issued are:

Year Number State Design
2006 1 Schleswig-Holstein Holstentor in Lübeck
2007 2 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Schwerin Castle
2008 3 Hamburg St. Michaelis Church

The other thirteen 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 the following states were different:

  • Hamburg: Landungsbrücken
  • Bremen: City Hall only
  • Bavaria: Munich Frauenkirche
  • Lower Saxony: Hanover New City Hall, then St. Michael's Church in Hildesheim
  • Hesse: Römer in Frankfurt am Main
  • Berlin: Reichstag
Year Number State Design
2009 4 Saarland Ludwigskirche in Saarbrücken
2010 5 Bremen City Hall and Roland
2011 6 North Rhine-Westphalia Cologne Cathedral
2012 7 Bavaria Neuschwanstein Castle near Füssen
2013 8 Baden-Württemberg Maulbronn Abbey
2014 9 Lower Saxony St. Andrew's Church in Hildesheim
2015 10 Hesse Paulskirche in Frankfurt am Main
2016 11 Saxony Zwinger Palace in Dresden
2017 12 Rhineland-Palatinate Porta Nigra in Trier
2018 13 Berlin Charlottenburg Palace
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' 50 State Quarters series, which is issuing fifty coins for its fifty constituent states, five per year between 1999 and 2008, plus six more in 2009 for the District of Columbia and five territories of the United States.

Retrieved from " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E2%82%AC2_commemorative_coins"
The 2008 Wikipedia for Schools has a sponsor: SOS Children , and is mainly selected from the English Wikipedia with only minor checks and changes (see www.wikipedia.org for details of authors and sources). The articles are available under the GNU Free Documentation License. See also our Disclaimer.