2 euro commemorative coins 2004-2014

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ECB: 2004

€2 commemorative coins ­ 2004 Vatican City

Feature: 75th anniversary of the founding of the Vatican City State Description: The inner part shows a schematic representation of the perimeter walls of the Vatican City with St Peter's Basilica in the foreground. Also in the inner part are the inscriptions '75 o ANNO DELLO STATO' and '1929­2004' as well as, in smaller letters, the name of the designer 'VEROI' and the initials of the engraver 'L.D.S. INC.'. The outer part of the coin features the twelve stars of the European Union and the inscription 'CITTA' DEL VATICANO'.

Issuing volume: 100,000 coins Issuing date: December 2004

Italy

Feature: 5th decade of the World Food Programme Description: In the centre is the globe, tilted to the right and bearing the inscription 'WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME'. An ear of wheat, an ear of maize and an ear of rice, the three grains representing the world's basic sources of nourishment, emerge from behind the globe. To the right of the globe is an 'I' superimposed on an 'R', denoting 'Repubblica Italiana', below which there appears a smaller combination of the letters U and P, the initials of the engraver, Uliana Pernazza. To the upper left of the globe is the mint mark 'R' and under the globe is the year – '2004'. The 12 stars of the European Union are positioned around the outer circle.

Issuing volume: 16 million coins Issuing date: December 2004

San Marino

Feature: Bartolomeo Borghesi (historian, numismatist) Description: the twelve stars of the European Union positioned around the outer circle of the coin and the issuing year '2004', positioned bottom centre, surround the bust of Bartolomeo Borghesi. To the left of the bust is the inscription 'Bartolomeo Borghesi', and one above the other are the letter 'R' and the engraver's initials 'E.L.F.'. To the right of the bust is the word 'San Marino'.

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2004.en.html

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Issuing volume: 110,000 coins Issuing date: December 2004

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2004.en.html

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Finland

Feature: Enlargement of the European Union by ten new Member States Description: the design describes a stylised pillar from which the sprouts grow upwards. The sprouts represent the enlargement of the European Union.

The pillar represents the foundation for growth. Near the pillar there are the letters 'EU'. In the upper part of the coin there is the year '2004'. Twelve stars, together with the year, surround the design.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: June 2004

Luxembourg

Feature: Effigy and monogram of Grand­Duke Henri Description: the coin depicts on the left hand of the inner part the effigy of His Royal Highness, the Grand­ Duke Henri, looking to the right, and on the right hand the monogram of the Grand­Duke Henri (special letter 'H' topped with a crown). The 12 stars appear in semi­ circular form at the right of the monogram. The year 2004, surrounded by the mint mark as well as the engraver's initials, and the word LËTZEBUERG are written in circular form at the top of the ring. The words 'HENRI — Grand­Duc de Luxembourg' appear at the bottom of the ring.

Issuing volume: 2.49 million coins Issuing date: June 2004

Greece

Feature: Olympic Games in Athens 2004 Description: the twelve stars of the European Union positioned around the outer circle surround the design of an ancient statue depicting a discobolus in his attempt to throw the discus. The base of the statue covers a small part of the coin's external ring (outer part). To the left is the logo of the Olympic Games 'ATHENS 2004' and the five Olympic circles, and to the right, one above the other, are the figure '2' and the word 'ΕΥΡΩ'. The yearmark is written in split form around the star positioned bottom centre, as follows: 20*04 and the mintmark is above the athlete's head to the left.

Issuing volume: 50 million coins Issuing date: March 2004

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2004.en.html

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https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2004.en.html

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ECB: 2005

€2 commemorative coins ­ 2005 Vatican City

Feature: 20th World Youth Day Description: Depicted in the centre of the coin is the Cathedral of Cologne with a comet passing by above.

The words ‘XX GIORNATA MONDIALE DELLA GIOVENTÙ’ are inscribed along the upper edge of the central part, separated by the tail of the comet and two of the cathedral’s spires, one of which extends into the coin’s outer ring. Twelve stars are depicted in a semicircle along the upper part of the outer ring, separated at the top by the year of issue (2005) and the mintmark ‘R’. Below the central image of the cathedral, the words ‘CITTÀ DEL VATICANO’ form a semicircle in the outer ring.

Issuing volume: 100,000 coins Issuing date: December 2005

San Marino

Feature: World Year of Physics 2005 Description: The centre of the coin features a free interpretation of the allegorical painting of Galileo Galilei that is known as ‘la fisica antica’ or the study of the planets. The year of issue appears beneath a globe standing on a desk. To the left of the image is the mintmark ‘R’, and the engraver’s initials ‘LDS’ appear on the right. The words ‘SAN MARINO’ form a semicircle above the image, while the words ‘ANNO MONDIALE DELLA FISICA’ run along the lower edge of the inner part below. The outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union, separated by the outer edges of the image of a stylised atom inscribed in the background of the entire coin.

Issuing volume: 130,000 coins Issuing date: October 2005

Italy

Feature: 1st anniversary of the signing of the European Constitution Description: The centre of the coin features Europa and the bull, with Europa holding a pen and the text of the European Constitution. To the upper left of the image is the mintmark ‘R’. The initials of engraver Maria Carmela Colaneri, ‘MCC’, appear on the lower left edge of the coin’s central part. The year of mintage is shown in the top right of the image above the head of the bull. Positioned just off­centre at the

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2005.en.html

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ECB: 2005

bottom of the image is the monogram of the Italian Republic, ‘RI’. The words ‘COSTITUZIONE EUROPEA’ form a semicircle along the outer ring of the coin beneath the central image, while twelve stars are depicted on the remainder of the outer ring.

Issuing volume: 18 million coins Issuing date: October 2005

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2005.en.html

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Finland

Feature: 60th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations and 50th anniversary of Finland’s membership therein Description: Depicted in the centre of the coin are parts of a jigsaw puzzle showing a dove of peace.

Below the image of the dove, inscribed along the edge of the bottom half of the central part of the coin, the inscription ‘FINLAND — UN’ appears on the left and the year of issue on the right. Above the last figure of the year of issue, set close to the edge of a piece of the jigsaw puzzle, is the letter ‘K’, the engraver's initial. The mintmark ‘M’ is inscribed immediately below the image of the dove of peace. The outer ring features the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 2 million coins Issuing date: October 2005

Austria

Feature: 50th anniversary of the Austrian State Treaty Description: The centre of the coin shows a reproduction of the signatures and seals in the Austrian State Treaty, which was signed by the foreign ministers and ambassadors of the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and France, and

by Leopold Figl, Foreign Minister of Austria, in May 1955. The inscription ‘50 JAHRE STAATSVERTRAG' appears above the seals and the year of issue, 2005, below them. The vertical stripes in the background represent Austria's national colours (red­white­red).

The outer ring of the coin features the 12 stars of the EU. Issuing volume: 7 million coins Issuing date: May 2005

Spain

Feature: 4th centenary of the first edition of Miguel de Cervantes’ 'The ingenious gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha' Description: The centre of the coin features an image of Don Quixote holding a lance, with windmills in the background. To the left, impressed into the surface of the coin, is the word 'ESPAÑA', under which the mintmark 'M' appears. The 12 stars of the European Union are shown in the outer ring of the coin, with four of them impressed into the surface. The year of issue is indicated at the bottom.

Issuing volume: 8 million coins Issuing date: April 2005

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2005.en.html

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Belgium

Feature: Belgium­Luxembourg Economic Union Description: The effigies of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and King Albert II of Belgium are depicted in profile (from left to right) in the centre of the coin, above the year of issue, 2005. The engraver's initials, ‘LL', appear to the lower right. The two effigies and the date are surrounded by the outer ring bearing the 12 stars of the EU and the monograms of Grand Duke Henri on the left and of King Albert II on the right. The mintmarks appear between two stars near the bottom of the coin.

Issuing volume: 6 million coins Issuing date: March 2005

Luxembourg

Feature: 50th birthday of Grand Duke Henri, 5th anniversary of his accession to the throne and 100th anniversary of the death of Grand Duke Adolphe Description: Depicted in the centre of the coin is the effigy of Grand Duke Henri, looking to the right and superimposed on the effigy of Grand Duke Adolphe.

Above the effigies appears the legend ‘GRANDS­ DUCS DE LUXEMBOURG’. The names ‘HENRI’, set above ‘*1955’, and ‘ADOLPHE’, set above ‘†1905’, are inscribed below the respective effigies. On the outer ring of the coin, the 12 stars of the EU surrounding the design are placed between the letters of the word ‘LËTZEBUERG’ and the year of issue, 2005, with the latter centred below the effigies and flanked by the letter ‘S’ on the left and the logo of the mint on the right.

Issuing volume: 2.8 million coins Issuing date: January 2005

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2005.en.html

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ECB: 2006

€2 commemorative coins ­ 2006 Vatican City

Feature: 5th Centenary of the Swiss Pontifical Guard Description: The coin features a Swiss guard taking an oath of loyalty to the Pope. The inscription ‘GUARDIA SVIZZERA PONTIFICIA’ forms a semi­ circle around the guard, while under the flag appears the name of the issuing state, ‘CITTÀ DEL VATICANO’. ‘1506’ appears on the left side, above the signature of the engraver ‘O. ROSSI’ along the flagpole. ‘2006’ appears on the right side, above the mint mark ‘R’. The 12 stars of the European Union are depicted on the outer ring.

Issuing volume: 100,000 coins Issuing date: November 2006

San Marino

Feature: 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' death Description: The coin shows Christopher Columbus and three caravels. The inscription ‘SAN MARINO’ appears above his portrait, and a wind rose and the mint mark ‘R’ to the right. The dates ‘1506 — 2006’ are shown on a scroll below his portrait. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 120,000 coins Issuing date: October 2006

Finland

Feature: 100th anniversary of universal and equal suffrage Description: The inner part of the coin shows male and female faces separated by a line. To their left is ‘1.10.1906’ and to their right is ‘20 FI 06’, the year of issue with the abbreviation for Finland, FI. The mint mark ‘M’ appears next to each of the two faces. The 12 stars of the European Union are depicted on the outer ring of the coin.

Issuing volume: 2.5 million coins Issuing date: October 2006

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2006.en.html

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Belgium

Feature: Atomium Description: An image of Atomium is shown in the centre of the coin and the engraver’s initials ‘LL’ to its right. Two mintmarks appear near its base. The outer ring of the coin features the 12 stars of the European Union, the letter ‘B’ and the year of mintage ‘2006’.

Issuing volume: 5 million coins Issuing date: April 2006

Germany

Feature: Schleswig­Holstein Description: The Holstentor, the gate symbolising of the town of Lübeck, is shown in the centre of the coin and below it the word ‘Schleswig­Holstein’, the first of Germany’s 16 federal states to be commemorated in a euro coin. The engraver’s initials ‘HH’ appear to the right of the image and the mintmark ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘F’, ‘G’ or ‘J’, depending on the mint, to the left. The year of mintage, 2006, the 12 stars of the European Union and the words ‘Bundesrepublik Deutschland’ are shown in the outer ring.

Issuing volume: 30 million coins Issuing date: February 2006

Italy

Feature: XX Olympic Winter Games ­ Turin 2006 Description: An image of a skier, a dynamic, curvilinear figure, is in the centre of the coin. Above him are the words ‘GIOCHI INVERNALI’ and to his left the location of the Winter Games is marked by the word ‘TORINO’ and an image of Turin’s landmark Mole Antonelliana building. The monogram of the Italian Republic ‘RI’ and the mintmark ‘R’ are also to the skier’s left. The year of issue, 2006, and the initials of the designer ‘MCC’ (Maria Carmela Colaneri) are shown to his right. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2006.en.html

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Issuing volume: 40 million coins Issuing date: January 2006

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2006.en.html

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Luxembourg

Feature: 25th birthday of Grand­Duke Guillaume, heir to the throne Description: The effigy of Grand­Duke Henri is superimposed on that of Grand­Duke Guillaume in the centre of the coin. The year of issue, 2006, appears below the effigies, flanked by the letter ‘S’ and the mintmark. The word ‘LËTZEBUERG’ appears above the effigies. The 12 stars of the European Union are shown in the outer ring of the coin.

Issuing volume: 1.1 million coins Issuing date: January 2006

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2006.en.html

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ECB: 2007

€2 commemorative coins ­ 2007 Finland

Feature: 90th anniversary of Finland’s independence Description: The coin shows a nine­oar boat with rowers, symbolising collaboration. The year of issue, 2007, and the year of independence, 1917, appear above and below the image, respectively. The mint mark appears to the left of the oars and ‘FI’ for Finland to the right. The outer ring of the coin features the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 2 million coins Issuing date: December 2007

San Marino

Feature: Bicentenary of the birth of Giuseppe Garibaldi Description: The inner part of the coin features the engraving of a portrait of Giuseppe Garibaldi. The words ‘SAN MARINO’ and the year of issue (2007) are inscribed along the outer edge of the inner part on the left and right of the portrait respectively. The mint mark (R) is inscribed to the left of the portrait, while the initials of the artist Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini (E.L.F.) appear on the lower left­hand edge of the inner part. The 12 stars of the European Union are depicted on the outer ring.

Issuing volume: 130,000 coins Issuing date: October 2007

Vatican City

Feature: 80th birthday of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Description: The inner part of the coin features the profile of His Holiness Benedict XVI facing the left.

The legend ‘BENEDICTI XVI P.M. AETATIS ANNO LXXX CITTA' DEL VATICANO’ is engraved along the outer edge of the inner part of the coin. To the left of the effigy are the mintmark, ‘R’, the year of issue, ‘2007’, and the initials of the engraver, ‘M.C.C. INC.’, while the artist’s name, ‘LONGO’, is inscribed on the right. The outer ring of the coin bears the 12 stars of

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2007.en.html

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the European Union.

Issuing volume: 100,000 coins Issuing date: October 2007

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2007.en.html

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Monaco

Feature: 25th anniversary of the death of Princess Grace Description: The coin features an effigy of Princess Grace, to the right of which appear the word ‘MONACO’, the mint mark, the year ‘2007’ and the engraver’s mark. The name of the artist, ‘R.B.BARON’, is shown under the Princess’s hair. The 12 stars of the European Union are depicted on the outer ring of the coin.

Issuing volume: 20,000 coins Issuing date: July 2007

Portugal

Feature: Portuguese Presidency of the European Union Description: The inner part of the coin features a cork oak (quercus suber). The Coat of Arms of Portugal is depicted beneath the lower branches to the left of the trunk, while the word “PORTUGAL”, written over three lines, appears on the right. Inscribed in the form of an arc along the edge of the inner part of the coin below the tree are the artist’s signature (I. Vilar), the year of issue (2007), the mintmark (INCM) and the legend “PRESIDÊNCIA DO CONSELHO DA UE”. The outer ring of the coin bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 2 million coins Issuing date: July 2007

Euro area countries

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2007.en.html

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Feature: 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome Description: The coin shows the Treaty document signed by the six founding countries on a background evoking the paving (designed by Michelangelo) of the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome, where the signing took place on 25 March 1957. ‘Treaty of Rome 50 years’, ‘EUROPE’ and the name of the issuing country appear in the respective languages of the euro area or in Latin. Thus, the legend differs from country to country, but the image is the same. The Treaty of Rome established the European Economic https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2007.en.html

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Community and ultimately led to the introduction of the euro in 1999 and the euro banknotes and coins in 2002. The anniversary was celebrated on 25 March 2007. The euro area countries have marked the occasion by jointly issuing this commemorative coin. Its design was selected following a competition organised by the European mints.

The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: varies from country to country Issuing date: March 2007

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2007.en.html

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Germany

Feature: Mecklenburg­Vorpommern Description: The coin shows Schwerin Castle and bears the inscription ‘Mecklenburg­Vorpommern’ ­ the federal state of Mecklenburg­West Pomerania where the castle is located. The mintmark, ‘A’, ‘D’, ‘F’, ‘G’ or ‘J’, appears above the image, and the engraver’s initials ‘HH’ below it. The year of mintage, 2007, the 12 stars of the European Union and the words ‘Bundesrepublik Deutschland’ appear in the outer ring.

Issuing volume: 30 million coins Issuing date: February 2007

Luxembourg

Feature: Grand Ducal Palace Description: The coin features an effigy of Grand­ Duke Henri superimposed on an image of the Grand Ducal Palace. The year of issue, 2007, appears to the left, with the engraver's mark above and the mint mark below. The word ‘LËTZEBUERG’ appears at the base of the design. The 12 stars of the European Union are shown on the outer ring of the coin.

Issuing volume: 1.1 million coins Issuing date: February 2007

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2007.en.html

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ECB: 2008

€2 commemorative coins ­ 2008 Vatican City

Feature: The Year of St. Paul – the 2000th anniversary of his birth Description: The coin depicts the conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus, which is visible in the background. Dazzled by a light from the sky, he falls from his rearing horse. To the left of the image is an inscription denoting the issuing country ‘CITTÀ DEL VATICANO’, and to the right the legend ‘ANNO SANCTO PAULO DICATO’, as well as the year ‘2008’, the mint mark ‘R’ and the artist’s name ‘VEROI’. The initials of the engraver ‘L.D.S. INC.’, Luciana De Simoni, appear beneath the image. The outer ring of the coin shows the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 100,000 coins Issuing date: October 2008

Finland

Feature: 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Description: Designed by sculptor Tapio Kettunen, the coin depicts a human being inside a heart and, underneath it, the inscription ‘HUMAN RIGHTS’. ‘FI’ for Finland, ‘K’ for the sculptor as well as the mint mark appear at the bottom of the inner part of the coin, and the year of issue, 2008, at the top. The 12 stars of the European Union are shown on the outer ring.

Issuing volume: 1.5 million coins Issuing date: October 2008

Portugal

Feature: 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Description: The coin shows the Portuguese coat of arms at the top, with the name of the issuing country (‘PORTUGAL’) and the year ‘2008’ just below. The lower half of the coin features a geometric design and the legend ‘60 ANOS DA DECLARAÇÃO UNIVERSAL DOS DIREITOS HUMANOS’, followed by the inscription ‘Esc. J. Duarte INCM’ in very small characters. The outer ring of the coin shows the 12 stars of the European Union.

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2008.en.html

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Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: September 2008

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2008.en.html

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France

Feature: French Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2008 Description: The coin is inscribed as follows: ‘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 12 stars of the European Union are shown on the outer ring.

Issuing volume: 20 million coins Issuing date: July 2008

Slovenia

Feature: 500th anniversary of Primož Trubar's birth Description: The coin shows an effigy of Primož Trubar in profile. The inscriptions ‘PRIMOŽ TRUBAR’ and ‘1508 • 1586’ appear on the left, and ‘SLOVENIJA 2008’ at bottom right. The 12 stars of the European Union are depicted on the outer ring.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: May 2008

Belgium

Feature: 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Description: The coin shows curved lines around a rectangle marked with the figure 60. The year ‘2008’ is inscribed above the rectangle and the words ‘UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS’ underneath it. The name of the country appears below the design in its three official languages: ‘BELGIE – BELGIQUE – BELGIEN’. The mintmark and the signature mark of the Master of the Mint are shown to the left and right of the design respectively. The outer ring of the coin features the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 5 million coins Issuing date: May 2008

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2008.en.html

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San Marino

Feature: European Year of Intercultural Dialogue Description: The coin shows five human silhouettes symbolising the cultures of the five regions in Europe, together with the sacred texts of the different communities. The inscription ‘ANNO EUROPEO DEL DIALOGO INTERCULTURALE’ appears below the motif, while ‘SAN MARINO’, and the year of issue ‘2008’ appear above it. The initials of the artist ‘E.L.F.’, Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini, are shown to the right of the motif, and the mint mark ‘R’ to the left. The coin’s outer ring contains the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 130,000 coins Issuing date: April 2008

Italy

Feature: 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Description: The coin depicts a man and a woman with an olive branch, an ear of corn, a cogwheel and some barbed wire – symbols of the right to peace, food, work and freedom respectively. The monogram of the Italian Republic ‘RI’ is placed between the two figures, as is the year of issue ‘2008’. At the bottom of the image are the links of a chain forming the number ‘60’ and the inscription ‘DIRITTI UMANI’ (human rights). The initials ‘MCC’ of the artist Maria Carmela Colaneri and the mint mark ‘R’ are shown on the right.

The outer ring of the coin depicts the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 5 million coins Issuing date: April 2008

Luxembourg

Feature: Grand­Duke Henri and the ‘Château de Berg’ Description: The coin shows Grand­Duke Henri and the ‘Château de Berg’, the official residence. The year of issue, 2008, flanked by the mint mark and the mark of the engraving workshop, is inscribed at the top. The word ‘LËTZEBUERG’ appears at the bottom of the design. The outer ring of the coin depicts the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.3 million coins Issuing date: February 2008

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2008.en.html

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Germany

Feature: Federal state of Hamburg Description: The coin depicts the baroque church of St. Michaelis, or “Michel” as it is popularly known. It is a symbol of the city and federal state of Hamburg, as the inscription below the image indicates. The year of issue, 2008, the 12 stars of the European Union and the words ‘BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND’ appear on the outer ring. The mintmark is shown in the upper right part of the coin.

Issuing volume: 30 million coins Issuing date: February 2008

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2008.en.html

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ECB: 2009

€2 commemorative coins ­ 2009 Slovakia

Feature: 20th anniversary of 17 November 1989 (Day of the fight for freedom and democracy) Description: The coin shows a stylised bell with keys serving as clappers. It recalls the demonstration on 17 November 1989 when protesters jangled their keys to symbolise the unlocking of doors, an event which marked the beginning of the ‘Velvet Revolution’ in Czechoslovakia, as it then was. Under the bell are the artist’s mark and the mint mark of Mincovňa Kremnica (the Slovak mint). Encircling the bell are the legend ‘17. NOVEMBER SLOBODA DEMOKRACIA’, the dates ‘1989­2009’ and the name of the issuing country, ‘SLOVENSKO’. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: November 2009

Finland

Feature: 200th anniversary of Finnish autonomy and Porvoo Diet Description: The first Diet of Finland met in 1809 in Porvoo, so the coin shows a profile of Porvoo cathedral, where the opening ceremony took place, and ‘1809’ written in stylised numbering above. To its left is the country code, ‘FI’, and to its right is the year of issue, ‘2009’. The 12 stars of the European Union appear on the outer ring.

Issuing volume: 1.6 million coins Issuing date: October 2009

Vatican City

Feature: International Year of Astronomy Description: This coin was issued on the occasion of the International Year of Astronomy. The inner part of the coin depicts an allegory of the birth of the stars and planets together with several astronomical instruments. The design is inspired by Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 106,000 coins Issuing date: October 2009

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2009.en.html

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Italy

Feature: 200th anniversary of Louis Braille’s birth Description: The coin depicts a hand reading an open book by touch. The index finger points at a vertical inscription ‘LOUIS BRAILLE 1809­2009’ and two birds in flight above the hand symbolise freedom of knowledge. The monogram of the Italian Republic, ‘RI’, is at the top right, while the mint mark ‘R’ is at the bottom right. Braille’s name is written under the book in the alphabet that he invented. At the very bottom are the initials ‘MCC’ of the artist Maria Carmela Colaneri. The 12 stars of the European Union are shown on the outer ring.

Issuing volume: 2 million coins Issuing date: October 2009

Belgium

Feature: 200th anniversary of Louis Braille’s birth Description: The coin features a portrait of Louis Braille with his initials, L and B, in the alphabet that he designed. His name appears above the portrait and, below it, the code of the issuing country, ‘BE’ and the dates ‘1809’ and ‘2009’. To the left and right respectively are the mint mark and the signature mark of the Master of the Mint. The coin’s outer ring shows the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 5 million coins Issuing date: September 2009

Portugal

Feature: 2nd Lusophone Games Description: The coin was issued to mark the games held for Portuguese­speaking countries. It depicts a gymnast swirling a long ribbon. The Portuguese coat of arms appears at the top together with the name of the issuing country ‘PORTUGAL’. At the bottom, the legend ‘2.os JOGOS DA LUSOFONIA LISBOA’ is inscribed between the initials ‘INCM’ on the left and the artist's name ‘J. AURÉLIO’ on the right. The year ‘2009’ appears above the gymnast. The coin's outer ring shows the 12 stars of the European Union on a background of concentric circular lines.

Issuing volume: 1.25 million coins Issuing date: June 2009

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2009.en.html

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ECB: 2009

San Marino

Feature: European Year of Creativity and Innovation Description: The coin shows some symbols of scientific research: a book, a compass, a test tube and a flask. On the left are the three emblematic feathers of the Republic of San Marino. On the right are the year ‘2009’ and the mint mark ‘R’. Above is the legend ‘CREATIVITÀ INNOVAZIONE’. Below are the name of the issuing country ‘SAN MARINO’ and the artist’s initials ‘A.M.’. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 130,000 coins Issuing date: May 2009

Germany

Feature: Federal state of Saarland Description: The coin features the Ludwigskirche, a symbol of Saarbrücken, the capital of the Saarland. It shows the distinctive east facade and bell tower of the church, with the word ‘SAARLAND’ and ‘G’, a mint mark, underneath. It was designed by Friedrich Brenner, whose initials appear to the right of the image. The year of mintage, 2009, the 12 stars of the European Union and the words ‘BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND’ are depicted on the outer ring.

Issuing volume: 30 million coins Issuing date: February 2009

Euro area countries

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2009.en.html

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https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2009.en.html

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Feature: 10th anniversary of Economic and Monetary Union Description: The coin shows a stick figure which merges into the € symbol. It seeks to convey the idea of the single currency and, by extension, Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) being the latest step in Europe’s long history of trade and economic integration. The coin is issued by each euro area country and shows the name of the country as well as the legend ‘EMU 1999­2009’ in the respective language(s). The design was chosen out of a shortlist of five by members of the public across the European Union voting online. It was created by George Stamatopoulos, a sculptor from the Minting department at the Bank of Greece. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: varies from country to country Issuing date: January 2009

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2009.en.html

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Luxembourg

Feature: Grand­Duke Henri and Grand­Duchess Charlotte Description: The coin features Grand­Duke Henri and Grand­Duchess Charlotte. To the right of the image, placed vertically, are the word ‘LËTZEBUERG’ and the year ‘2009’, flanked by the mintmaster’s mark and the mint mark. The outer ring of the coin shows the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.4 million coins Issuing date: January 2009

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2009.en.html

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€2 commemorative coins ­ 2010 Greece

Feature: 2.500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon Description: The coin commemorates the 2.500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon. The centre of the coin shows a synthesis of a shield and a runner/warrior representing the struggle for freedom and the noble ideals that the Battle of Marathon stands for. The bird on the shield symbolises the birth of Western civilisation in its present form. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 2.5 million coins Issuing date: October 2010

Vatican City

Feature: Year for Priests Description: The coin commemorates the Year for Priests, proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI to run from of 19 June 2009 to 19 June 2010, that was concluded with an international gathering of priests attended by the pope. The coin features a shepherd pulling a lamb from a lion’s mouth. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 115,000 coins Issuing date: October 2010

Finland

Feature: Currency Decree of 1860 granting Finland the right to issue banknotes and coins Description: The design of the inner part of the coin comprises a stylised figure of a lion, taken from Finland’s coat of arms, and the year of issue, i.e.

‘2010’, on the left, with the mintmark and a set of numbers symbolising coin values to the right thereof.

Centred at the bottom edge is a reference to the issuing country, namely the letters ‘FI’. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.6 million coins

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2010.en.html

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Issuing date: October 2010

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2010.en.html

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San Marino

Feature: 500th anniversary of the death of Sandro Botticelli Description: The coin commemorates the 500th anniversary of the death of Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi (1445 – 1510), the Italian painter of the Florentine school who is better known as Sandro Botticelli or Il Botticello ("The Little Barrel"). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 130,000 coins Issuing date: September 2010

Portugal

Feature: 100th anniversary of the Portuguese Republic Description: The coin commemorates the 100th anniversary of the end of the constitutional monarchy of King Manuel II and the establishment of the Portuguese Republic following the revolution of 5 October 1910. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 2 million coins Issuing date: September 2010

France

Feature: 70th anniversary of the Appeal of June 18 Description: The coin commemorates the 70th anniversary of the appeal (“Appel du 18 juin”) made by General de Gaulle – the leader of the Free French Forces – on the BBC in London on 18 June 1940, after the fall of France. Addressing the French people, de Gaulle declared that the war was not yet over. The speech is considered to mark the birth of the French Resistance and the beginning of its fight against the occupation of France during World War II. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 20 million coins Issuing date: June 2010

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2010.en.html

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Belgium

Feature: Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2010 Description: The inner part of the coin features the commemorative logo, i.e. the stylised letters “EU” and “trio.be”. The central design is encircled by the words “BELGIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EU 2010” and the trilingual country designation ‘BELGIE BELGIQUE BELGIEN’. Beneath the logo and above the country’s name, the year of issue, i.e.

“2010”, is centred between the mint mark on the left and the mint master’s mark on the right. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 5 million coins Issuing date: June 2010

Slovenia

Feature: 200th anniversary of the Botanical Garden in Ljubljana Description: The inner part of the coin depicts the Rebrinčevolistna Hladnikija plant. On the left beneath the plant is its name, “HLADNIKIA PASTINACIFOLIA”, written in an arc. The image is encircled by the words “200 LET”, “BOTANIČNI VRT”, “LJUBLJANA” and “SLOVENIJA 2010”. The outer ring of the coin depicts the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: May 2010

Spain

Feature: Córdoba’s historic centre – UNESCO World Heritage series Description:The coin commemorates the historic centre of Cordoba, the first Spanish site to be included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1984. It portrays the “forest of pillars” of the Great Mosque of Córdoba, one of the most significant and oldest examples of Islamic art in Europe. Built between the 8th and 10th centuries, the Mosque was later consecrated as a Christian cathedral and underwent a series of transformations. The coin is the first in a new series dedicated to the Spanish sites on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. One such commemorative coin will be issued every year as from 2010. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 8 million coins

Issuing date: March 2010

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2010.en.html

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Italy

Feature: 200th anniversary of the Count of Cavour’s birth Description: The coin commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour (1810­1861), a key figure in Italian unification and early Italian liberalism, and the founder of the political newspaper "Il Risorgimento". It features a portrait of Cavour based on a painting by Francesco Hayez from 1864. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 4 million coins Issuing date: March 2010

Luxembourg

Feature: Coat of arms of the Grand Duke Description: The inner part of the coin depicts, on the left, a portrait of Grand Duke Henri facing towards the right and, immediately adjacent, the Grand Duke’s coat of arms, above which the year of issue, 2010, is featured between mint marks, overlapping slightly into the outer ring. Below the portrait, the name of the issuing country, “LËTZEBUERG”, overlaps slightly into the outer ring. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: January 2010

Germany

Feature: Federal state of Bremen Description: The inner part of the coin features the Town Hall of Bremen, with the Roland statue in the foreground. The word “BREMEN” is inscribed beneath the Town Hall to the right of the statue. The mint mark, represented by the letter “A”, “D”, “F”, “G” or “J”, appears at the left above the Town Hall. The initials of the artist, Bodo Broschat, are given at the very bottom, immediately below the statue. The name of the issuing country, “D”, and the year, “2010”, are inserted at the top and bottom of the outer ring of the coin respectively, interspersed between the twelve stars of the European Union. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 30 million coins Issuing date: January 2010

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2010.en.html

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https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2010.en.html

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ECB: 2011

€2 commemorative coins ­ 2011 Malta

Feature: Constitutional history – first election of representatives in 1849 Description: The inner part of this coin, the first of a series of five coins to be issued over a period of five years to mark major milestones in Malta’s constitutional history, features a hand inserting a ballot paper into the ballot box to commemorate the election in 1849 of the first Maltese representatives to the Council of Government advising the British Governor of Malta, which had been a British colony since the Treaty of Paris of 1814. The upper right outer edge of the inner part of the coin bears the words “MALTA – First elected representatives 1849”. The 12 stars of the European Union are depicted on the outer ring of the coin.

Issuing volume: 430,000 coins

Issuing date: November 2011

Vatican City

Feature: 26th World Youth Day Description: The inner part of the coin features a number of young people and flags, together with the mintmark “R” and the year “2011”, surrounded, along the upper edge, by the Roman numerals “XXVI” and the letters “G.M.G.”, the abbreviation of Giornata Mondiale della Gioventù (World Youth Day), and by the name of the issuing country “CITTA’ DEL VATICANO” along the lower edge. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 115,000 coins Issuing date: October 2011

Finland

Feature: 200th anniversary of the Bank of Finland Description: The commemorative coin to mark the Bank of Finland’s 200th anniversary, which was designed by the artist Hannu Veijalainen, depicts Finland’s national bird, the swan. In addition, the inner part of the coin bears the dates “2011”, the year of issue, and “1811”, the year in which Emperor Alexander I of Russia decreed that an “Exchange, Lending and Deposit Office” was to be established in Turku, Finland. It was Finland’s first bank and

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2011.en.html

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eventually became the Bank of Finland, which moved to Helsinki in 1819. The Bank began to operate as a central bank in the latter part of the 19th century, after Finland obtained its own monetary unit and commercial banks had been established in the country. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.5 million coins Issuing date: October 2011

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2011.en.html

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Portugal

Feature: 500th anniversary of Fernão Mendes Pinto’s birth Description: The inner part of the coin commemorating the 500th anniversary of the birth of Fernão Mendes Pinto, a Portuguese explorer whose book on his discoveries and adventures in the seas and countries of Asia was published posthumously under title “Peregrinação” (Pilgrimage), depicts a sailing ship floating on a sea formed by a series of wave­shaped references to Portugal, Lisbon, his book and some of the destinations of his travels, With the country designation “Portugal” centred beneath them.

His name flanked by the dates “1511” and “2011” form a semicircle around the upper edge of the inner part.

The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 520,000 coins Issuing date: September 2011

Monaco

Feature: The wedding of Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock Description: The inner part of the coin shows, at the centre, the effigies of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene. At the bottom, the name of the issuing country ‘MONACO’ and the year of issuance ‘2011’.

The mint mark and the mint engravers mark appear before and after ‘MONACO 2011’, respectively. The 12 stars of the European Union are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.

Issuing volume: 148,000 coins Issuing date: July 2011

France

Feature: 30th anniversary of the Day of Music Description: The inner part of the coin shows a cheerful crowd, with a stylised image of a musical instrument and notes floating in the air, denoting the atmosphere of celebration on the Day of Music, which has been celebrated every summer solstice in France since 1981. The words "Fête de la MUSIQUE" and the date "21 JUIN 2011" appear at the centre of the drawing. Along the upper edge, towards the right, are the words "30 e ANNIVERSAIRE", while the letters "RF" designate the country of issue at the bottom. The 12 stars of the European Union are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.

Issuing volume: 10 million coins Issuing date: June 2011

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2011.en.html

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Greece

Feature: The Special Olympics World Summer Games — Athens 2011 Description: The inner part of the coin shows the emblem of the Games, a radiant sun, the source of life that underlines the excellence and power of the athletes who take part in the Games, with excellence represented by the olive branch and power by the spiral starting from the centre of the sun. Inscribed around the outer right­hand edge of the inner part are the caption “XIII SPECIAL OLYMPICS W.S.G. ATHENS 2011” and the name of the issuing country “ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ”, separated from one another by the mintmark. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: June 2011

San Marino

Feature: 500th anniversary of the birth of Giorgio Vasari

Description: The inner part of the coin commemorating the 500th anniversary of the birth of Giorgio Vasari (30 July 1511 – 27 June 1574), a painter, writer, and architect famous for his biographies of Italian artists and now considered the ideological founder of art­historical writing, shows a detail of his painting “Giuditta decapitates Oloferne”.

Centred at the bottom are the dates “1511­2011”, with the name “G. VASARI” and the designation of the issuing country “SAN MARINO” to the left and right respectively along the inner edge. The mintmark “R” is located to the left of the central motif and the letters “CM”, the initials of the designer Claudia Momoni, immediately to the right. The 12 stars of the European Union are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.

Issuing volume: 130,000 coins Issuing date: June 2011

Italy

Feature: The 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy

Description: The inner part of the coin shows, in the centre, three Italian flags fluttering in the wind, to mark three past periods of 50 years each – the periods ending in 1911, 1961 and 2011 respectively – in illustration of a perfect link between generations: this is the logo of the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy. Written in a semi­circle along the upper outer edge around the three flags is the inscription “150° DELL’ UNITÁ D’ITALIA” (150th anniversary of the unification of Italy), with the letters “RI” superimposed on one another off­centre to the right in indication of the issuing country, the Republic of Italy. Beneath the three flags stand the dates “1861 › 2011 › ›”. Centred below the dates is the mintmark “R”, with the letters “ELF INC.”, the initials of the artist Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini and the first three letters of https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2011.en.html

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the Italian name of his profession (incisore) along the bottom edge to the right. The 12 stars of the European Union are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.

Issuing volume: 10 million coins Issuing date: March 2011

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2011.en.html

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Spain

Feature: Court of the Lions, Granada – UNESCO World Heritage series Description: The inner part of the coin depicts the Court of the Lions in the Alhambra, the fortified castle in the city of Granada, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 8 million coins Issuing date: March 2011

Slovenia

Feature: 100th anniversary of the birth of Franc Rozman­Stane Description: The inner part of the coin bears a stylised image of Franc Rozman­Stane, general in the High Command of the Slovene partisan army and a national hero of Slovenia. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: March 2011

Belgium

Feature: 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day Description: The inner part of the coin commemorating the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, which is celebrated on 8 March, features effigies of Isala Van Diest, the first female Belgian medical doctor, and Marie Popelin, the first female Belgian lawyer above a semicircle formed by their names and the symbols of their professions on either side of the year 2011. Centred above the effigies are the letters “BE” in reference of their nationality, flanked by the Mint master’s mark on the left and the mintmark on the right. The coin’s outer ring shows the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 5 million coins Issuing date: March 2011

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2011.en.html

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Slovakia

Feature: 20th anniversary of the formation of the Visegrad Group Description: The design of the inner part of the coin consists of the outlines of four central European states – the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia – with a superimposed composite “V” to designate the Visegrad Group, a regional alliance also known as the “Visegrad Four” or “V4” that was set up after a summit meeting of the Heads of State or Government of Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland in the castle town of Visegrád, Hungary, on 15 February 1991, mainly for purposes of cooperating in areas of common interest within the process of European integration. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins

Issuing date: January 2011

Luxembourg

Feature: 50th anniversary of the appointment by the Grand­Duchess Charlotte of her son Jean as "lieutenant­représentant" Description: The coin depicts on the right hand of its inner part the effigy of His Royal Highness, the Grand­ Duke Henri, looking to the left, and superimposed on the effigies of the Grand­Duke Jean and the Grand­ Duchess Charlotte. The text "LËTZEBUERG" is depicted above the three effigies. The year­date "2011", flanked by the mintmark and the Mintmaster mark, appears above. The name of the Royal Highness is depicted below the respective effigy. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.4 million coins Issuing date: January 2011

The Netherlands

Feature: The 500th anniversary of the publication of the world­famous book "Laus Stultitiae" by the Dutch philosopher, humanist and theologian Desiderius Erasmus Description: The inner part of the coin shows Erasmus writing his book on the right and the effigy of Queen Beatrix to the left. The two images are separated by the vertical inscription "Beatrix Koningin der Nederlanden". The year "2011", the Mint master’s mark and the mintmark are positioned horizontally near the centre of the coin. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 4 million coins Issuing date: January 2011

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2011.en.html

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Germany

Feature: Federal state of North Rhine­Westphalia Description: The inner part of the coin features the Cologne Cathedral above the words “Nordrhein­ Westfalen” to designate the German federal state of North Rhine­Westphalia in which it stands. The 12 stars of the European Union are depicted on the outer ring, together with the year of issue, 2011, at the bottom.

Issuing volume: 30 million coins Issuing date: January 2011

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2011.en.html

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ECB: 2012

€2 commemorative coins ­ 2012 Luxembourg

Feature: Wedding of Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand­Duke, with Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy Description: The coin depicts, to the left of its inner part, the effigy of His Royal Highness the Grand Duke Henri, with the effigy of Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke, superimposed on that of Countess Stéphanie to the right. The words “PRËNZENHOCHZAÏT” and “LËTZEBUERG” appear above the year “2012” at the bottom of the inner part of the coin, flanked by the mint mark and the mint master’s initials. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.4 million coins Issuing date: December 2012

Vatican City

Feature: Seventh World Meeting of Families Description:The inner part of the coin features a family, with the Cathedral of Milan, the host city of the Seventh World Meeting of Families, in the background. The event is held every three years to highlight the family as a common human heritage, reflecting the fact that the family is universal and that it contributes to the human element of life everywhere in the world. Inscribed around the family scene are the names of the event and of the Vatican City in Italian and the year “2012”. The mintmark “R” appears between the boy and his mother. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 115,000 coins Issuing date: October 2012

Finland

Feature: 150th anniversary of the birth of the artist Helene Schjerfbeck Description: The inner part of the coin shows a stylised self­portrait of the artist, with her name, “HELENE SCHJERFBECK”, and the years of birth and death, “1862­1946”, inscribed vertically to the left and right, respectively. At the bottom to the left of the portrait are the letters “FI” to denote the issuing country and “2012”, the year of issue. The mintmark is located on the edge of the coin’s inner part immediately below the dates of birth and death. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2012.en.html

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Union.

Issuing volume: 2 million coins Issuing date: September 2012

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2012.en.html

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Malta

Feature: Majority representation 1887 Description: The design of the inner part of the coin, which was created by the Maltese artist Gianni Bonnici, shows a jubilant crowd against the background of the Governor’s Palace in Valletta. The words “MALTA – Majority representation 1887” are inscribed along the upper edge of the coin’s inner part, while the year of issue, “2012”, is given at the bottom.

The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 430,000 coins Issuing date: September 2012

Monaco

Feature: 500th anniversary of the establishment of Monaco’s sovereignty by Lucien I Grimaldi Description: The inner part of the coin shows a portrait of Lucien I Grimaldi, in profile, facing to the left. The inscription “1512 SOUVERAINETE DE MONACO 2012” forms an arch around the portrait along the outer edge of the inner part of the coin, flanked by two ornamental diamonds, as well as by the horn of plenty (mintmark of Monnaie de Paris) and the “fleurette” (hallmark of the engraving workshop) to the left and right, respectively, at the bottom of the portrait. The founder’s name, “Lucien Ier”, is given above the mintmark. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 100,000 coins Issuing date: July 2012

France

Feature: 100th anniversary of the birth of Abbé Pierre, famous in France as protector of the poor Description: The inner part of the coin shows a portrait of Abbé Pierre wearing his well­known beret, positioned slightly off­centre to the left, and the logo of the foundation that bears his name to the right, including micro­lettering with the question “Et les autres?”, his favourite words to remind us that we should never forget to help others. The inscription “Centenaire de la naissance de l’abbé Pierre” forms an arch around the portrait along the edge of the coin’s inner part, flanked by the horn of plenty (mintmark of Monnaie de Paris) and the letters “RF” to denote the issuing country on the left and the “fleurette” (hallmark of the engraving workshop) on the right. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: July 2012

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2012.en.html

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Portugal

Feature: European Capital of Culture 2012, the city of Guimarães in northern Portugal Description: : The inner part of the coin depicts a stylised image of Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal, together with his sword and the Castle of Guimarães, which is regarded as the birthplace of Portugal as an independent nation in the 12th century.

To the left of the image is the Portuguese shield above the word “PORTUGAL”. To the lower right is the inscription “GUIMARÃES 2012” with the logo of Guimarães 2012 European Capital of Culture. Along the lower edge of the inner part are the mintmark “INCM” and the name of the designer, “JOSÉ DE GUIMARÃES”. The outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 520,000 coins

Issuing date: June 2012

Belgium

Feature: The 75th anniversary of the Queen Elisabeth Competition Description:The inner part of the coin shows the logo of the Queen Elisabeth Competition superimposed on a left profile of Queen Elisabeth, who founded the music competition in 1937. On the left is the mintmaster mark (a quill) and on the right the mintmark (the head of the Archangel Michael). In a semi­circle along the bottom edge of the inner part is the inscription “QUEEN ELISABETH COMPETITION”, while the years “1937 – 2012”, marking the 75th anniversary of the competition, are inscribed along the top edge. The letters “BE” to the right of the image refer to the country of issue. The outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 5 million coins

Issuing date: May 2012

Italy

Feature: 100th anniversary of the death of Giovanni Pascoli Description: The inner part of the coin features a portrait of Giovanni Pascoli, a poet from the Romagna region who is a prominent representative of late 19th century Italian literature. The portrait is flanked by the poet’s year of death “1912”, the mintmark “R” and the letters “M.C.C.”, the initials of the designer Maria Carmela Colaneri, on the left and by the year of issue “2012”’ immediately above the monogram of the Italian Republic “RI” on the right. The inscription “G. PASCOLI” forms an arch along the bottom edge of the coin’s inner part below the portrait. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 15 million coins Issuing date: April 2012

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2012.en.html

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Spain

Feature: Burgos Cathedral – UNESCO World Heritage series Description: The inner part of the coin depicts the Cathedral of Our Lady of Burgos, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is famous for its vast size and unique architecture. Construction of the cathedral began in 1221 and it was already in use as a place of worship nine years later, although work continued off and on until 1567. It was primarily built in the French Gothic style, but Renaissance features were added in the 15th and 16th centuries. The name of the country of issue, “ESPAÑA”, and the year “2012” appear to the left and right above the image. The mintmark (M with a crown) appears to the right. The outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 8 million coins

Issuing date: March 2012

Euro area countries

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2012.en.html

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https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2012.en.html

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Feature: Ten years of the Euro Description: The inner part of the coin, designed by Helmut Andexlinger of the Austrian Mint and chosen by citizens and residents of the euro area to be the common commemorative coin for 2012, features the world in the form of a euro symbol in the centre, showing how the euro has become a true global player over the last ten years.

The surrounding elements symbolise the importance of the euro to ordinary people (represented by a family group), to the financial world (the Eurotower), to trade (a ship), to industry (a factory), and to the energy sector and research and development (two wind turbines). The designer’s initials, “A.H.”, can be found (if you look very carefully) between the ship and the Eurotower. Along the upper and lower edges of the inner part of the coin are, respectively, the country of issue and the years “2002 – 2012”. The coin will be issued by all euro area countries. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: varies from country to country Issuing date: January 2012

Luxembourg

Feature: Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duke Guillaume IV – “grand­ducal dynasty” series Description: The coin depicts, to the left of its inner part, the head of His Royal Highness the Grand Duke Henri in front of that of his great­grandfather, the Grand Duke Guillaume IV, both looking to the right, with their names “HENRI” and “GUILLAUME IV † 1912” below. Above are the year “2012”, flanked to the left and right by the mintmark (Mercury’s wand) and the mintmaster mark (a sailing boat), and the words “GRANDS­DUCS DE LUXEMBOURG”. The city of Luxembourg appears in the background. The 12 stars of the European Union are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.

Issuing volume: 1.4 million coins Issuing date: January 2012

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2012.en.html

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Germany

Feature: Federal state of Bavaria Description:The inner part of the coin, designed by Erich Ott, depicts one of Bavaria’s most famous landmarks, Neuschwanstein Castle, viewed from the east, with the gatehouse in the foreground, the romantic towers and turrets of the castle itself, and the majestic mountains behind. Beneath is the name of the federal state “BAYERN”. To the right is the mintmark of the respective mint (A, D, F, G or J) and to the left are the initials of the designer. The outer ring features the 12 stars of the European Union with a “D” at the top and “2012” at the bottom, denoting the country and year of issue respectively.

Issuing volume: 30 millions coins Issuing date: January 2012

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2012.en.html

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€2 commemorative coins ­ 2013 Netherlands

Feature: 200 years Kingdom of the Netherlands Description: The inner part of the design shows a continuing ribbon that starts from the outside depicting the effigy of King Willem­Alexander and continues to depict the effigies of his six predecessors: Queen Beatrix, Queen Juliana, Queen Wilhelmina, King Willem III, King Willem II and King Willem I. The effigies are surrounded by the inscription ‘Willem­ Alexander Koning der Nederlanden’ followed by the Royal Dutch mintmark, the mint master mark, the year 2013, the initials of the designer and at the left side of the effigies the inscription ‘200 jaar Koninkrijk der Nederlanden’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 3.5 million coins Issuing date: November 2013

Finland

Feature: The 125th anniversary of the birth of Nobel Prize winning author F. E. SILLANPÄÄ

Description: The inner part of the coin depicts Sillanpää's portrait. At the top, in semi­circle, the words ‘F. E. SILLANPÄÄ’. At the left, the year ‘1888’ and the mint mark. At the right, the year ‘1964’, the indication of the issuing country ‘FI’ and the year of issuance ‘2013’. This is a special coin to commemorate the grandfather of a whole nation. F. E. SILLANPÄÄ was a master of style who brought deep insights about the relationship between people and nature into Finnish literature. He was awarded the Nobel prize in 1939 based in particular on the works Meek Heritage and The Maid Silja. This masterful author gained even more national renown with his popular radio appearances and memorable Christmas columns. After the war years, the master writer evolved into the long­bearded ‘Taata’, the unofficial grandfather to the country. From recollections of his childhood Christmases emerged a well­loved tradition: Grandpa gathered the whole nation devoutly around their radios with his easy­going Christmas ‘talks’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.5 million coins Issuing date: November 2013

Malta

Feature: The Self­Government Constitution of 1921 Description: The design shows a map of the Maltese islands and a representation of the population. At the bottom of the design, the year ‘2013’. At the top, in

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2013.en.html

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semi­circle, the words ‘MALTA — Self­government 1921’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 500,000 coins Issuing date: October 2013

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2013.en.html

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Vatican City

Feature: 28th World Youth Day Description: The design features the most known monument of Rio de Janeiro, the ‘Christ of Corcovado’, and some young people around the statue. At the top, in semi­circle, the inscription ‘XXVIII G.M.G. CITTÀ DEL VATICANO RIO 2013’. At the right, the mintmark ‘R’ and the name of the artist ‘P DANIELE’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 115,000 coins Issuing date: October 2013

Greece

Feature: 100th anniversary of the union of Crete with Greece Description: The inner part of the coin depicts Cretan rebels raising the Greek flag, a symbolic representation of Crete’s struggle for Union with Greece. On the upper side, in circular sense and with capital letters the name of the issuing country ‘Hellenic Republic’ in Greek. Underneath the words: ‘100 years of the union of Crete with Greece’ in Greek. On the right: ‘1913­2013’ and the monogram of the Greek Mint. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 750,000 coins Issuing date: October 2013

Greece

Feature: 2 400th Anniversary of the founding of Plato’s Academy Description: Portrait of Plato (in profile). On the left: the words ‘2 400 years since the founding of Plato’s Academy’ and ‘Hellenic Republic’ in ancient Greek lettering. On the right: ‘2013’ and the monogram of the Greek Mint. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 750,000 coins Issuing date: October 2013

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2013.en.html

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San Marino

Feature: 500th anniversary of the death of the Italian painter Pinturicchio Description: In the foreground, the fresco ‘Christ among the doctors’; in the lower part, the inscription ‘SAN MARINO’ in semi­circle; to the left, the letter ‘R’, which is the Italian mint mark; below the fresco, the name of the author ‘MOMONI’; above the fresco, the inscription ‘PINTURICCHIO’ in semi­circle with the years ‘1513’ and ‘2013’ below it. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 115,000 coins Issuing date: September 2013

Belgium

Feature: 100th anniversary of the creation of the Royal Meteorological Institute (Koninklijk Meteorologisch Instituut/Institut Royal Météorologique) Description: The obverse of the coin displays in its centre the number 100 with the first zero encircling the abbreviations ‘KMI’ and ‘IRM’ and the second zero representing a sun. Isobars, raindrops and snowflakes are depicted to the left of the sun. The year ‘2013’ is displayed in the upper rays of the sun and the nationality ‘BE’ is indicated in the lower rays. The mark of the mint master and the mark of the Brussels mint, a helmeted profile of the Archangel Michael, are displayed under the ‘1’ of the number ‘100’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 2 million coins Issuing date: September 2013

Finland

Feature: The 150th anniversary of the Parliament of 1863 when regular Parliament sessions started in Finland

Description: The 2­euro commemorative coin is depicted with the year 1863 and a shoot growing out of it symbolising the start of democracy and Finland’s development. In semicircle, at the bottom, the name of the issuing country ‘SUOMI FINLAND’ with the two words separated by the mint mark, and the year ‘2013’. The Diet of 1863 is the start of period of illumination. In Finland, the year 1863 marked a start for genuine democracy, transparent press operations and the right to use the Finnish language. With the beginning of regular meetings of the Diet, the opportunities of Finns to influence affairs in their own country improved in an unprecedented way. The year marked the beginning of a period of illumination for Finnish democracy. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: September 2013 https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2013.en.html

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Luxembourg

Feature: The National Anthem of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Description: The coin depicts on the right hand of its inner part the effigy of His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke Henri, looking to the left, and on the left hand of its inner part the musical notation as well as the text of the national anthem. The text ‘Ons Heemecht’ appears at the top of the inner part and the name of the issuing country ‘LËTZEBUERG’ as well as the year­date ‘2013’, flanked by the mint mark and the initials of the mint master, appear at the bottom of the inner part of the coin. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.4 million coins Issuing date: September 2013

Slovakia

Feature: 1150th anniversary of the advent of the mission of Constantine and Methodius to Great Moravia

Description: The inner part of the coin features the Thessalonian brothers Constantine and Methodius on either side of the symbolic double cross standing on three hills. The cross is moreover held like a Bishop’s crozier, thereby bringing together the symbols of statehood and Christianity, and emphasising the significance of the brothers’ mission, which helped ensure the full sovereignty and legitimacy of Great Moravia — the first Slav state in central Europe. The figure of Constantine is holding a book that represents education and faith, while Methodius is shown with a church to symbolise faith and institutional Christianity.

Inscribed along the bottom edge of the inner part of the coin is the name of the issuing country, “SLOVENSKO”, as well as the years “863” and “2013”, all separated by a dash. Along the upper edge of the inner part are the names “KONŠTANTÍN” and “METOD”.

Inscribed immediately to the left of the brothers are the stylised letters “mh” (the initials of the designer, Miroslav Hric), while the mint mark of Kremnica Mint (composed of the letters “MK” between two dies) is shown immediately to their right. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: July 2013

Monaco

Feature: The 20th anniversary of the ONU joining Description: The coin depicts a dove with an olive branch, with in the middle of the arc, on the left side the cornucopia, and on the right side the punch, as the workshop Paris Mint mark. At the top, in semi­circle, the indication of the issuing country ‘MONACO’ and at the bottom, in semi­circle, the inscription ‘1993 ADMISSION À L'ONU 2013’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.2 million coins Issuing date: July 2013

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2013.en.html

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Italy

Feature: 700th Anniversary of the birth of Giovanni BOCCACCIO Description: The design shows the head of Giovanni BOCCACCIO in three quarter view facing right, drawn from the fresco by Andrea del Castagno, around 1450 ca. (Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi); around, on the bottom, BOCCACCIO 1313 2013; on the right, superimposed letters R (monogram of the Mint of Rome)/RI (monogram of Italian Republic)/m (monogram of the author Roberto Mauri). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 10 million coins Issuing date: July 2013

Portugal

Feature: The 250th anniversary of the construction of ‘Torre dos Clérigos’ Description: The tower is depicted as it can be seen by the people on the street when standing close to it, side by side with the typical Oporto skyline as seen from Douro River south bank. At the top, in semi­ circle, the inscription ‘250 ANOS TORRE DOS CLÉRIGOS — 2013’. At the bottom right, the Portuguese coat of arms and underneath the indication of the issuing country ‘PORTUGAL’. At the left, the mint mark and the name of the artist ‘INCM — HUGO MACIEL’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 525,000 coins Issuing date: June 2013

France

Feature: 150th anniversary of the birth of Pierre de Coubertin, initiator of the revival of the Olympic Games and first president of the International Olympic Committee Description: The inner part of the coin shows a portrait of Pierre de Coubertin at a young age, set slightly off­centre to the right, with stylised Olympic rings in the background. They provide the framework for silhouettes symbolising the Olympic sports. To the left of the portrait, the letters “RF”, denoting the issuing country, are given above the year of issue “2013”. The name “PIERRE DE COUBERTIN” is inscribed along the top edge of the inner part of the coin. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins

Issuing date: June 2013

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2013.en.html

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Vatican City

Feature: Sede Vacante 2013 Description: The design features the coat of arms of the Cardinal Camerlengo and above it the symbol of the Apostolic Camera, two small crosses, the words ‘CITTÀ DEL VATICANO’ at the left and ‘SEDE VACANTE MMXIII’ at the right. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 125,000 coins Issuing date: May 2013

Italy

Feature: 200th Anniversary of the birth of Giuseppe VERDI Description: The design shows the bust of Giuseppe VERDI in three quarter view facing left; on the left, superimposed letters of the Italian Republic monogram ‘RI’/1813; on the right, R (monogram of the Mint of Rome)/2013; in exergue, MCC (monogram of the Author Maria Carmela COLANERI)/G. VERDI. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 10 million coins Issuing date: March 2013

Netherlands

Feature: The announcement of the abdication of the throne by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix Description: The design depicts on the foreground the effigy of Queen Beatrix and on the background, partly covered by the effigy of the Queen, the effigy of the Prince of Orange. The circumscription around both effigies reads: WILLEM­ALEXANDER PRINS VAN ORANJE (crown symbol) BEATRIX KONINGIN DER NEDERLANDEN (mint mark) 28 januari 2013 (mint master mark). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 20 million coins Issuing date: February 2013

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2013.en.html

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Germany

Feature: Baden­Württemberg from the ‘Länder’­series Description: The inner part of the coin depicts the Maulbronn Monastery which is home to the most perfectly preserved medieval monastery complex north of the Alps. Founded in 1147, this complex has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. On the top, the year of issuance ‘2013’. At the bottom, the inscription BADEN­ WÜRTTEMBERG and underneath the indication of the issuing country ‘D’. The mint mark, represented by the letter A, D, F, G or J, is located at the right hand side. At the bottom left the initials of the artist. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 30 million coins Issuing date: February 2013

Slovenia

Feature: 800th anniversary of visits to Postojna Cave Description: The central image of the coin is a stylised spiral that starts, on the left­hand side of the inner part, with inscription “POSTOJNSKA JAMA • 1213 ­ 2013 • SLOVENIJA” and ends with two stylised speleothems. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: February 2013

Spain

Feature: Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial – UNESCO World Heritage series Description: The inner part of the coin shows a view of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Along the upper edge, in upper case letters, runs the name of the issuing country “ESPAÑA”, with the year of issuance “2013” above the mint mark to the right. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 8 million coins Issuing date: February 2013

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2013.en.html

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France

Feature: 50th anniversary of the signing of the Élysée Treaty

Description: The coin, which was designed by Yves Sampo (Monnaie de Paris), Stefanie Lindner (Berlin State Mint), Alina Hoyer (Berlin) and Sneschana Russewa­Hoyer (Berlin), depicts stylised portraits of the signatories to the Élysée Treaty (Konrad Adenauer, then Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Charles de Gaulle, former President of the French Republic) above their respective signatures on either side of the words “50 ANS JAHRE” and the year “2013” in the centre. The words “TRAITÉ DE L’ÉLYSÉE” and “ÉLYSÉE­VERTRAG” are centred along the top and bottom edge, respectively, of the inner part of the coin. On the right­ hand inner edge below the portrait of Adenauer, the inner part also features the “fleurette” (hallmark of the engraving workshop) and the letters “RF” to denote the issuing country, while the mint mark is located on the coin’s left­hand inner edge below the portrait of de Gaulle. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 10 million coins Issuing date: January 2013

Germany

Feature: 50th anniversary of the signing of the Élysée Treaty

Description: The coin, which was designed by Yves Sampo (Monnaie de Paris), Stefanie Lindner (Berlin State Mint), Alina Hoyer (Berlin) and Sneschana Russewa­Hoyer (Berlin), depicts stylised portraits of the signatories to the Élysée Treaty (Konrad Adenauer, then Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Charles de Gaulle, former President of the French Republic) above their respective signatures on either side of the words “50 ANS JAHRE” and the year “2013” in the centre. The words “TRAITÉ DE L’ÉLYSÉE” and “ÉLYSÉE­VERTRAG” are centred along the top and bottom edge, respectively, of the inner part of the coin. On the right­ hand inner edge below the portrait of Adenauer, the inner part also features the mint mark (“A”, “D”, “F”, “G” or “J”, depending on the mint concerned), as well as the letter “D” to denote the issuing country. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 11 million coins Issuing date: January 2013

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2013.en.html

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Â

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2013.en.html

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€2 commemorative coins ­ 2014 Spain

Feature: Change of the Head of State Description:The design depicts the overlapping portraits of Kings Felipe VI and Juan Carlos I. At the bottom the name of the issuing country and the year of issuance: ‘ESPAÑA — 2014’. At the right, the mint mark. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 12 million coins Issuing date: December 2014

France

Feature: The fight against AIDS by way of World AIDS Day

Description: The red ribbon, symbolising the fight against AIDS, is featured in the coin’s central field.

The ribbon was created by the Visual AIDS Artists Caucus and the US painter Frank Moore. It should be worn close to the heart to symbolise solidarity with AIDS sufferers and is in the shape of an upside­down V. The idea is for it to be worn as a V one day to signify victory over the disease. There are three ribbons in the central field. One is in the conventional position and will be coloured red for the brilliant uncirculated (BU) and proof (PRF) versions. The other two ribbons are inverted and associated with two Vs to strengthen the symbolism of the much­hoped­for victory over the disease. The date 1 December, Unesco World AIDS Day, appears at the top of the central field. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 3 million coins Issuing date: November 2014

Finland

Feature: The 100th Anniversary of the birth of designer and interior designer Ilmari Tapiovaara Description:The left inner part of the design shows Ilmari Tapiovaara’s name and years. The right inner part of the design depicts a close­up from the furniture fitting characteristic for Ilmari Tapiovaara. At the right the indication of the issuing country ‘FI’, the mint mark and the year of issuance ‘2014’. The coin’s outer ring

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2014.en.html

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bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: November 2014

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2014.en.html

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Vatican City

Feature: 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall Description: The design depicts some bricks of the partially collapsed Berlin Wall in the foreground, with the wording ‘XXV ANNIVERSARIO DEL CROLLO DEL MURO DI BERLINO 1989 2014’ (25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall 1989 2014) written within the bricks. An olive branch can be seen in the centre, in a gap between the bricks and a piece of barbed wire, and the Brandenburg Gate appears in the background. At the top, the words ‘CITTA’ DEL VATICANO’ are inscribed. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 103,000 coins Issuing date: October 2014

Slovenia

Feature: The 600th anniversary of the crowning of Barbara Celjska Description: The central image of the coin shows, with lined pattern, the portrait of the Queen Barbara of Celje with her sceptre. On the image are placed three typical six­pointed stars of Celje counts. On the left side of the portrait is the inscription ‘SLOVENIJA’ and on the right side the inscription ‘BARBARA CELJSKA’ and the years ‘1414­2014’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: October 2014

Luxembourg

Feature: 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of the Grand­Duke Jean Description: The coin’s inner part depicts the effigies of Their Royal Highnesses, the Grand­Duke Henri and the Grand­Duke Jean, both looking to the left. It is surmounted by the year ‘1964’ above the effigy of the Grand­Duke Jean and by a crown. At the bottom, the names ‘Jean’ and ‘Henri’ appear below the respective effigy as well as the year ‘2014’. The inscription ‘50e ANNIVERSAIRE DE L’ACCESSION AU TRÔNE DU GRAND­DUC JEAN’ encloses in circular form the upper inner part of the coin. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.4 million coins Issuing date: October 2014

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2014.en.html

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Portugal

Feature: The International Year of Family Farming Description: On the central part of the design are represented tools typically used in the traditional agriculture, together with farming products: a chicken in the center, surrounded by pumpkins, a basket of potatoes, and other vegetables and flowers. On the left side, in semi­circle, the subject of the commemoration ‘AGRICULTURA FAMILIAR’ (Family Farming) and on the right side, in semi­circle, the name of the issuing country ‘PORTUGAL’ followed by the year of issuance ‘2014’. At the bottom left the mintmark ‘INCM’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 500,000 coins Issuing date: October 2014

Malta

Feature: Malta Independence 1964 Description:The coin commemorating the Malta Independence constitution of 1964 is the fourth in the series of five coins that commemorate constitutional milestones in Maltese history. By means of the 1964 constitution Malta became an independent nation for the first time after hundreds of years of foreign domination. The national side of the coin shows a detail of the bronze monument commemorating Independence which was designed by the artist Gianni Bonnici in 1989. It shows a young woman, representing Malta, carrying the Maltese flag. At the right, in semi­circle, the inscription ‘MALTA — Independence 1964’ and at the bottom the year of issuance ‘2014’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 400,000 coins Issuing date: October 2014

Belgium

Feature: 150 years of the Belgian Red Cross Description: The inner part of the coin features a cross with the number ‘150’ in its centre. The vertical and horizontal bars of the cross bear the words ‘Rode Kruis’ and ‘Croix­Rouge’ respectively. The cross is surrounded by the mark of the Brussels mint (a helmeted profile of the archangel Michael), the signature mark of the Master of the Mint, the year 2014, and the country code ‘BE’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 260,000 coins Issuing date: September 2014

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2014.en.html

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Greece

Feature: 150th anniversary of the union of the Ionian Islands with Greece (1864­2014) Description: The inner part of the coin depicts a seven­pointed star inscribed in Greek with the words: ‘150 YEARS SINCE THE UNION OF THE IONIAN ISLANDS (EPTÁNISA) WITH GREECE 1864­2014’, the name of the issuing country ‘HELLENIC REPUBLIC’ and the mint mark of the Greek State Mint. The spaces between the points of the star feature the symbols of the Ionian Islands. The entire design is encircled in a decorative stylised wave motif.

The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 750,000 coins Issuing date: September 2014

Greece

Feature: 400 years since the death of Domenikos Theotokopoulos (1614­2014) Description: The inner part of the coin shows a portrait of Domenikos Theotokopoulos. The background features a typical figure from his work, illustrative of his technique. On the left: the year 2014 and the characteristic signature of the artist (‘Domenikos Theotokopoulos Epoiei’). On the right: the mint mark of the Greek State Mint. The entire design is encircled in an inscription reading in Greek ‘DOMENIKOS THEOTOKOPOULOS 1541­1614’ and the name of the issuing country ‘HELLENIC REPUBLIC’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 750,000 coins Issuing date: September 2014

Latvia

Feature: Riga — European Capital of Culture 2014 Description: The central image of the coin shows the skyline of Riga and the historic centre of the city that has been included in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. At the top of the image, the inscription ‘EIROPAS KULTURAS GALVASPILSETA’ (European capital of culture) and at the bottom the name of the celebrated city and the year of issuance ‘RIGA — 2014’, and underneath the indication of the issuing country ‘LV’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: September 2014

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2014.en.html

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Malta

Feature: 200 years of Malta Police Force Description: The coin commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Malta Police Force which was set up by means of proclamation XXII of 1814. Thus the Malta Police Force is one of the oldest in Europe. The national side of the coin depicts the badge of the Malta Police Force with the legend ‘200 Years Malta Police Force’ and the dates 1814­2014. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 300,000 coins Issuing date: July 2014

Finland

Feature: 100th Anniversary of the birth of author and artist Tove Jansson Description: The inner part of the coin depicts Tove Jansson’s portrait. Under the portrait the signature ‘Tove Jansson’ and the years ‘1914­2001’. At the left the indication of the issuing country ‘FI’. At the right the year of issuance ‘2014’ and the mint mark. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.5 million coins Issuing date: June 2014

Italy

Feature: 200th Anniversary of the foundation of Arma dei Carabinieri Description: The design shows a reinterpretation of the sculpture ‘Pattuglia di Carabinieri nella tormenta’ made in 1973 by Antonio Berti; on the right, superimposed letters of the Italian Republic monogram ‘RI’/2014; on the left, 1814; up, superimposed letters R (monogram of the Mint of Rome); in exergue, LDS (monogram of the Author Luciana De Simoni)/CARABINIERI. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 6.5 million coins Issuing date: June 2014

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2014.en.html

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Italy

Feature: 450th Anniversary of the birth of Galileo Galilei (born in 1564) Description: The design shows the head of Galileo Galilei from the painting of Justus Sustermans, 1636 (Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi); around, upside, GALILEO GALILEI; on the right, superimposed letters R (monogram of the Mint of Rome)/astronomic telescope/C.M. (monogram of the Author Claudia Momoni); on the left, superimposed letters of the Italian Republic monogram ‘RI’; in exergue 1564­ 2014. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 6.5 million coins Issuing date: June 2014

France

Feature: 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings of 6 June 1944 Description: In the coin’s central field the word D­ DAY is written in such a way as to depict a landing craft and a tank gun barrel. The years 1944­2014 appear above the tank gun, with the inscription ‘70e anniversaire du débarquement’ (70th anniversary of the landings) further down. The distinctive footprints left by the boots worn by American, British and Canadian troops are gradually disappearing in the sand, washed away by a wave. The words of a poem

by Verlaine used as a code for the start of the landings are engraved on the wave: ‘Les sanglots longs des violons de l’automne blessent mon coeur d’une langueur monotone’ (the long sobs of the violins of autumn wound my heart with a monotonous languor). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of

the European Union.

Issuing volume: 3 million coins Issuing date: June 2014

Netherlands

Feature: The official farewell to the former Queen Beatrix Description: The inner part of the coin depicts the effigies of both the King Willem­Alexander and the former Queen Beatrix. At the left, in semi­circle, the inscription ‘WILLEM­ALEXANDER KONING DER NEDERLANDEN’ and at the right, in semi­circle, the inscription ‘BEATRIX PRINSES DER NEDERLANDEN’. Between the two inscriptions, at the top, the crown symbol and at the bottom the mint master mark, the mint mark and in between the year of issuance ‘2014’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million Issuing date: May 2014

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2014.en.html

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Slovakia

Feature: 10th anniversary of the accession of the Slovak Republic to the European Union

Description: At the centre of the national side are the stylised letters ‘EÚ’, as the abbreviation of the European Union, with the coat of arms of the Slovak Republic incorporated in the foreground. On the right­ hand side of the inner part of the coin, in two lines, is the date of the Slovak Republic's accession to the European Union, ‘1.5.2004’, and immediately below it the year ‘2014’. Inscribed along the bottom edge of the inner part is the name of the issuing country, ‘SLOVENSKO’, while in a semi­circle along the upper edge is the inscription ‘10. VÝROČIE VSTUPU DO EURÓPSKEJ ÚNIE’. To the lower left is the mint mark of Kremnica Mint (composed of the letters ‘MK’ between two dies), and to the lower right are the stylised letters ‘MP’, the initials of the designer, Mária Poldaufová. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins Issuing date: April 2014

Portugal

Feature: 40th Anniversary of the 25th April Revolution Description: The two curves represent the general shape of a carnation, the flower symbolizing the movement, which was also the origin of the revolution’s name. The name of the issuing country ‘PORTUGAL’ and the Coat of Arms are inscribed on the top of the flower. The center of the image shows the date of the event ‘25 DE ABRIL’ (25th April) and at the bottom is written the number of years past since the revolution ‘40 ANOS’ (40 years) and the year of issuance ‘2014’. The shape of the letters and numbers is inspired on those used in posters and other political information supports 40 years ago, as a symbol of the euphoric period lived right after the event. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 500,000 coins

Issuing date: April 2014

Belgium

Feature: Centenary of the start of the First World War Description: The coin’s central field depicts a poppy above the years 2014­18. Below these years appears the inscription ‘The Great War Centenary’, under which are the signature mark of the Master of the Mint and the mark of the Brussels mint, a helmeted profile of the archangel Michael. The top of the central field features the trilingual inscription ‘BELGIE — BELGIQUE — BELGIEN’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.75 million coins Issuing date: April 2014

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2014.en.html

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Spain

Feature: UNESCO's World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites — Park Güell Description: The coin depicts in the foreground a lizard sculpture which is the Park Güell emblem and was designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí. As background a detail of one of the pavilions situated at the Park Güell entrance. At the top, in circular sense and in capital letters the words ‘ESPAÑA’ and ‘PARK GÜELL — GAUDÍ’. At the left the year of issuance ‘2014’ and at the right the mintmark. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 8 million coins Issuing date: March 2014

Luxembourg

Feature: 175th anniversary of the independence of the Grand­Duchy of Luxembourg Description: The coin depicts on the right hand side of its inner part the effigy of His Royal Highness, the Grand­Duke Henri, looking to the right, and on the left hand side of its inner part, vertically positioned, the years ‘1839’ and ‘2014’ and the name of the issuing country ‘LËTZEBUERG’. The inscriptions ‘ONOFHÄNGEGKEET’ and ‘175 Joër’ appear at the bottom of the inner part of the coin. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.4 million coins Issuing date: January 2014

Germany

Feature: Niedersachsen from the ‘Lander’ series Description: The desigh shows the Church of St. Michael in Hildesheim, Lower Saxony which has been on the Unesco World Cultural Heritage list since 1985.

At the top the year of issuance ‘2014’ and at the left the mintmark (A, D, F, G, J). At the bottom, the inscription ‘NIEDERSACHSEN’ and underneath the indication of the issuing country ‘D’. At the top right, the initials of the engraver OE (Ott Erich). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 30 million coins Issuing date: January 2014

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2014.en.html

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https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2014.en.html

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