Two euroValue2 euroMass8.5 gDiameter25.75 mmThickness2.20 mmEdgeEdge lettering, fine milled. Exact design varies, see below.CompositionOuter segment: copper-nickel.
Inner segment: three layers: nickel-brass, nickel, nickel-brass.Years of minting1999–presentObverseDesignNumerous variations, see below.DesignerVariousDesign dateVariousReverseCommon face of two euro coin.jpgDesignMap of Europe with the denomination shown in Latin charactersDesignerLuc LuycxDesign date2007
The 2 euro coin ( €2 ) is the highest-value euro coin and has been used since the initiation of the euro ( in its cash mannequin ) in 2002. The mint is used in 22 countries ( with 20 legally adopting it ) with a collective population of about 341 million. [ 1 ] The coin is made of two alloys : the inner separate of nickel brass, the out partially of copper-nickel. All coins have a common change by reversal side and country-specific national sides. The mint has been used since 2002, with the stage common side blueprint dating from 2007. The €2 coin is the euro coin subject to legal-tender [ 2 ] commemorative issues and hence there is a big count of national sides, including three issues of identical commemorative sides by all eurozone members .

history [edit ]

latvian 2 euro coin

Reading: 2 euro coin

lithuanian 2 euro coin The coin dates from 2002, when euro coins and notes were introduced in the 12-member eurozone and its related territories. The park side was designed by Luc Luycx, a belgian artist who won a Europe-wide contest to design the new coins. The designs of the one- and two-euro coins were intended to show the European Union ( EU ) as a whole with the then-15 countries more close joined together than on the 10 to 50-cent coins ( the 1-cent to 5-cent coins showed the EU as one, though intending to show its place in the world ). The national sides, then 15 ( eurozone plus Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican who could mint their own ) were each designed according to national competitions, though to specifications which applied to all coins such as the prerequisite of including twelve stars. National designs were not allowed to change until the end of 2008, unless a sovereign ( whose portrayal normally appears on the coins ) dies or abdicates. This happened in Monaco and the Vatican City, resulting in three new designs in circulation ( the Vatican had an interim design until the new Pope was selected ). National designs have seen some changes ascribable to a new principle stating that national designs should include the name of the issue country ( neither Finland and Belgium show a state identify, and hence have made minor changes ). In 2004 the commemorative coins were allowed to be minted in six states ( a short interim period was set aside so citizens could get used to the new currentness ). By 2007 about all states had issued a commemorative issue, and the first eurozone-wide commemorative was issued to celebrate the Treaty of Rome. As the EU ‘s membership has since expanded in 2004 and 2007, with further expansions envisaged, the common confront of all euro coins from the rate of 10 euro cent and above were redesigned in 2007 to show a modern function. This map showed Europe, not barely the EU, as one continuous landmass ; however, Cyprus was moved west as the map cut off after the Bosphorus ( which was seen as excluding Turkey for political reasons ). The redesign in 2007, preferably than in 2004, was due to the fact that 2007 saw the first expansion of the eurozone : the entry of Slovenia. Hence, the slovenian design was added to the designs in circulation. Cyprus and Malta joined in 2008, Slovakia in 2009 and Estonia in 2011, bringing four more designs. besides in 2009, the second eurozone-wide issue of a 2-euro commemorative coin was issued, celebrating ten years of the introduction of the euro. In 2012, the third base eurozone-wide exit of a 2-euro commemorative coin was issued, celebrating 10 years of euro coins and notes. In 2015, the fourthly eurozone-wide return for this denomination was issued, commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of the flag of Europe .

design [edit ]

The coins are composed of two alloys. The inner traffic circle is composed of three layers ( nickel administration, nickel, nickel brass ) and the out surround of copper-nickel giving them a two color ( argent out and gold inside ) appearance. The diameter of the coins is 25.75 millimeter, the thickness is 2.20 millimeter and the mass is 8.5 grams. The coins ‘ edges are finely milled with letter, though the exact design of the edge can vary between states with some choosing to write the issuing state of matter ‘s name or appellation around the edge ( see “ edges ” below ). The coins have been used from 2002, though some are date 1999 which is the year the euro was created as a currency, but not put into general circulation .

revoke ( common ) slope [edit ]

The reverse ( used from 2007 onwards ) was designed by Luc Luycx and displays a function of Europe, not including Iceland and cutting off, in a semicircle, at the Bosporus, union through the middle of Ukraine and Belarus and through northerly Scandinavia. Cyprus is located far west than it should be and Malta is shown disproportionally big so it appears on the map. The map has numerous indentations giving an appearance of geography rather than a directly design. Six fine lines cut across the map except where there is landmass and have a star at each end – reflecting the twelve stars on the flag of Europe. Across the map is the word EURO, and a big act 2 appears to the leave hired hand side of the mint. The graphic designer ‘s initials, LL, appear adjacent to Cyprus. Luc Luycx designed the original coin, which was much the same except the design was lone of the then 15 members in their entirety and showing border and no geographic features. The map was less detail and the lines the stars were upon cut through where there would be landmass in eastern Europe if it were shown .

Obverse ( national ) sides [edit ]

The obverse side of the coin depends on the issue area. All have to include twelve stars ( in most cases a circle around the edge ), the engraver ‘s initials, and the year of issue. New designs besides have to include the name or initials of the issue nation. The slope can not repeat the appellation of the mint unless the issue country uses an rudiment other than Latin ( presently, Greece is the only such state, hence it engraves “ 2 ΕΥΡΩ ” upon its coins ). Austria besides engraves “ 2 EURO ” on the reverse of its coins .

Edges [edit ]

The edges of the 2 euro coin change according to the issuing state ;
Standard €2 edge inscriptions by country

Country

Edge inscription

Description

Austria

Edge austria s01.jpg

The sequence “2 EURO ★★★” repeated four times alternately upright and inverted.

Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain

2€ edge inv2.svg2€ edge inv2.svg2€ edge inv2.svg

The sequence “2 ★ ★” repeated six times alternately upright and inverted.

Cyprus

Edge cyprus s01.jpg

The sequence “2 ΕΥΡΩ 2 EURO” repeated twice (2 EURO in Greek and Turkish).

Estonia

Estonian 2 euro coin edge (condensed).svg

“EESTI ○” (ESTONIA in Estonian) upright and inverted.

Finland

Edge finland s01.jpg

“SUOMI FINLAND” (FINLAND in Finnish and Swedish, the two official languages in Finland), followed by three lion’s heads.

Germany

Edge germany s01.jpg

“EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT” (UNITY AND JUSTICE AND FREEDOM in German), Germany’s national motto and the beginning of Germany’s national anthem, followed by the Federal Eagle.

Greece

Edge greece s01.jpg

“ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ ★” (ELLINIKI DIMOKRATIA ★: “HELLENIC REPUBLIC” in Greek).

Italy, San Marino, Vatican

Edge com1 s01.jpg

The sequence “2 ★” repeated six times alternately upright and inverted.

Latvia

2 eiro LV josta.jpg

“DIEVS ★ SVĒTĪ ★ LATVIJU ★” (GOD BLESS LATVIA)

Lithuania

2 euro edge inscription Lithuania.svg

“LAISVĖ ★ VIENYBĖ ★ GEROVĖ ★” (“Freedom, Unity, Prosperity” in Lithuanian)

Malta

Edge malta s01.jpg

The sequence “2✠✠” repeated six times alternately upright and inverted

Netherlands

Edge nederland s01.jpg

“GOD ★ ZIJ ★ MET ★ ONS ★” (GOD BE WITH US in Dutch). The same lettering had been applied to the larger denomination guilder coins.

Portugal

Edge portugal s01.jpg

The edge design features the seven castles and five coats of arms also found on the national side, all equally spaced.

Slovakia

Edge.slovakia.s01.jpg

“SLOVENSKÁ REPUBLIKA” (SLOVAK REPUBLIC in Slovak) with two stars and linden leaf between.

Slovenia

Edge slovenia s01.jpg

“SLOVENIJA •” (SLOVENIA in Slovene)

Planned designs [edit ]

Austria, Germany and Greece will besides at some decimal point need to update their designs to comply with guidelines stating they must include the issuing state ‘s list or initial, and not repeat the denomination of the coin. In addition, there are respective EU states that have not even adopted the euro, some of them have already agreed upon their coin designs however it is not known precisely when they will adopt the currency, and therefore these are not so far minted. See enlargement of the Eurozone for expected entry dates of these countries. Latvia officially introduced the euro on 1 January 2014, its design for the 2 euro mint is like to the 5 latissimus dorsi coin ‘s blueprint from 1929 to 1932 : [ 3 ]

commemorative issues [edit ]

Each department of state, allowed to issue coins, may besides mint two commemorative coins each class ( until 2012, it was one a year ). merely €2 coins may be used in this way ( for them to be legal tender ) and there is a limit on the phone number that can be issued. The coin must show the normal design criteria, such as the twelve stars, the class and the issue area. not all states have issued their own commemorative coins except for in 2007, 2009 and 2012 when every then-eurozone state issued a common coin ( with only unlike languages and country names used ) to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Treaty of Rome ( 1957–2007 ), the tenth anniversary of the euro ( 1999–2009 ) and the tenth anniversary of euro coins ( 2002–2012 ). Eurozone-wide issues do not count as a state ‘s two-a-year offspring. Germany has begun issuing one mint a year for each of its states ( the german Bundesländer series which will take it up to 2021 .

Types of Commemorative €2 coins [edit ]

There are respective types of Commemorative €2 Coins :

  1. Commemorative coins that the euro countries are issued jointly by all EU Countries
  2. Commemorative coins issued by a single country
  3. Commemorative coins issued by a number of countries

commemorative coins that are issued jointly by all eurozone countries [edit ]

sol far, there have been three commemorative coins that the eurozone countries have issued jointly : the first, in March 2007, to commemorate the “ fiftieth anniversary of the Treaty of Rome “, the second, in January 2009, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the euro is celebrated with a mint called the “ tenth anniversary of Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union “ and the third base one in 2012, to commemorate 10 years of the euro coins and notes. There are €2 commemorative coins that have been issued on the same subject by unlike member states, two ( by Belgium and Italy ) to celebrate Louis Braille ‘s two-hundredth birthday, four ( by Italy, Belgium, Portugal and Finland ) to celebrate sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and two ( by Germany and France ) to commemorate 50 years of the Elysee Treaty ( 1963–2013 ) .

commemorative coins issued by a unmarried area [edit ]

As a govern, euro countries may each issue only two €2 commemorative coins per year. exceptionally, they are allowed to issue another, provided that it is a joint issue and commemorates events of European-wide importance .

Proposing a topic for a €2 Commemorative Coin [edit ]

Role of the european Central Bank [edit ]

Designing and issuing the coins is the competence of the individual euro countries. The ECB ‘s role regarding the commemorative but besides all other coins is to approve the maximal volumes of coins that the individual countries may issue. [ 4 ] “ Unlike banknotes, euro coins are placid a national competence and not the ECB ‘s. If a euro area nation intends to issue a €2 commemorative coin it has to inform the european Commission. There is no report by euro sphere countries to the ECB. The Commission publishes the information in the multilingual Official Journal of the EU ( C series ). The Official Journal is the authoritative source upon which the ECB bases its web site updates on euro coins. The report procedure, the translation into 22 languages and publishing moderate to ineluctable delays. The coin pages on the ECB ’ s website can not therefore constantly be updated ampere timely as users might wish. If the ECB learns of a euro coin that has not even featured in the Official Journal, entirely its visualize will be posted on the ECB ’ s web site, with a abbreviated instruction that confirmation by the european Commission is pending. ”

Role of the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs [edit ]

The web site of the EU – DG for Economic and Financial Affairs is not specific on the subject of proposing themes for €2 commemorative coins. The web site of the european Central Bank where the Euro coins are mentioned, is not particular on the topic of proposing themes for €2 commemorative coins. It is not mentioned how the €2 commemorative coins that are in circulation today came approximately.

Read more: David Prowse

exchangeable coins [edit ]

The coins were minted in several of the participating countries, many using blanks produced at the Birmingham Mint in Birmingham, England. A problem has arisen in specialization of coins made using similar blanks and minting techniques .

  • The Turkish 1 New Lira coin (which was in circulation from 2005 until 2008) closely resembled the €2 coin in both weight and size, and both coins seem to be recognized and accepted by coin-operated machines as being a €2 coin; however, 2 euros are worth roughly 20 times than 1 Turkish lira. There are now some vending machines which have been upgraded to reject the 1 lira coin.
  • The 10 Thai baht coin, first minted in 1988, which is of similar shape and size to a €2 coin but worth around one-eighth of the value has recently been appearing in the coin boxes of vending machines throughout Europe[5] and being given back as change in some smaller establishments.
  • The new 50 qəpik coin of the Azerbaijani manat also looks like a €2 coin. The new coin set of the country contains other coins similar to some euro coins.
  • The Philippine 10 peso coin is also similar to the 2 Euro coin making it easy to pass for a Euro in some establishments in the Eurozone.
  • The Egyptian pound coin is also similar to the 2 Euro coin making it easy to pass for a Euro in some establishments in the Eurozone. It’s worth around 12–13 Euro Cents (1/16 of a 2 Euro coin). It is slightly thicker, with a marginally smaller diameter. In everyday exchanges the similarity is effectively misleading. Its use has been attested in Amsterdam.
  • The Mexican 5 peso coin is also similar to the 2 Euro coin. It is worth around 28 Euro Cents (1/7 of the 2 Euro coin).[6]
  • The Canadian 2-dollar coin or ‘Toonie’, first minted in 1996, also bears a small similarity to the €2 coin. The toonie however is 2mm larger in diameter, 0.40mm less thick, 1.5g lighter, and features a larger outer ring. It is worth around 1.40 EUR.
  • The Polish 5 złotych coin, currently worth about 1.16 EUR.
  • The 1000 Indonesian Rupiah coin, minted between 1993 and 2000, weighs 0.1g more, has a diameter 0.25mm larger and is 0.20mm thinner. The coin is worth approximately €0.06 (1/30th of a €2 coin).
  • The South African 5 rand is also similar in appearance and size, and is worth around €0.40.
  • The Italian 500 lire minted from 1982 to 2001 has a diameter 0.05 larger. The coin was worth approximately €0.25

References [edit ]