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The competition for the design of the 2 Euro Commemorative Coin with a common design at the beginning of 2009 to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the launch of EMU and of the creation of the euro
All euro-area countries will issue a commemorative 2-euro coin with a common design at the beginning of 2009 to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the launch of EMU and of the creation of the euro.
The design is chosen by EU citizens and residents by voting on the specific web site set up for this purpose. Voting is open between 31 January and 22 February 2008.
Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the euro
On 1 January 1999 the euro became the currency of the eleven original participating countries and a single monetary policy was introduced under the authority of the European Central Bank (ECB). National banknotes and coins continued to exist as sub-divisions of the euro until they were physically replaced by euro banknotes and coins in 2002.
Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) is the political and economic framework that supports the euro and complements the EU's single market. EMU has provided low inflation and interest rates to the benefit of consumers and companies and encouraged sound and sustainable public finances. The single currency has abolished exchange costs and facilitated trade and price comparisons within the 15 countries that currently make up the euro area.
Choosing the design of the commemorative 2-euro coin
To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the launch of EMU and of the creation of the euro, all euro-area countries will issue a commemorative 2-euro coin with a common design at the beginning of 2009.
On the basis of a design competition between the Mints of the euro area followed by a pre-selection of designs by the Mint Directors, the winning design is chosen exclusively by EU citizens and residents by voting on the specific web site set up for this purpose.
The design that receives the highest number of votes will be selected as the winner. One winner will be chosen among those having voted for the winning design. The prize will be a set of high-value euro collector coins. Voting is open between 31 January and 22 February 2008. The winning design will be announced on 25 February 2008.
A series of curved lines pointing toward the euro is reminiscent of the European Parliament's semi-circular debating chamber, where the people's representatives gather from every corner of the EU.
The euro is the latest step in the long history of trade, from pre-historic barter – evoked by the deliberately primitive design – to economic and monetary union.
Next to the euro symbol, the Roman figure X stands for 10 years of economic and monetary union. It also symbolises Europe as a crossroads where peoples and cultures come together. The spiral suggests growth and development.
Next to the euro symbol, the Roman figure X stands for 10 years of economic and monetary union. It also symbolises Europe as a crossroads where peoples and cultures come together.
An expanding spiral of ten stars – or ten Europeans joining hands – symbolises the solidity of the euro after ten years of economic and monetary union, and its continuing growth and development.
Vote: Euro design contest
EU citizens and residents have selected the design ‘2’ for the commemorative €2 coin to celebrate 10 years of Economic and Monetary Union. 41.48 % of you voted for this design, out of a total of 141675 votes. The winning design was created by George Stamatopoulos and represents "The euro is the latest step in the long history of trade, from pre-historic barter – evoked by the deliberately primitive design – to economic and monetary union.". Commemorative coins bearing this design will be issued by all euro-area Member States, starting in January 2009.
The competition for the design of the 2 Euro Commemorative Coin with a common design at the beginning of 2009 to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the launch of EMU and of the creation of the euro
Last update: 02-03-2008
by: Lex Liesemeijer
www.eurocoins.liesemeijer.com