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| Austria |
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| Ringed by the stars of the EU the smallest coin shows a gentian flower from the Alps. Below is the date and the red-white-red flag of Austria. |
The famous edelweiss flower adorns this coin together with the 12 stars, the flag and the date. |
The alpine primrose fills the centre of this bronze coin, surrounded by the stars, flag and date. |
St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna has been taken as an example of gothic architecture in Austria. The unusual view highlights the magnificent gothic tower. The European stars, the Austrian flag and the date are standard elements on all the coins |
The baroque style is demonstrated by the Belvedere Palace. In the foreground is the magnificent wrought iron gate, while in the distance one sees the baroque palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy. |
Art Nouveau or "Jugendstil" is documented by the Vienna Secession. This exhibition hall caused almost as much controversy at its opening in 1897 as the artists themselves who founded it. The dome of golden leaves has become a Viennese landmark. |
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of Austria’s most famous sons, smiles at us from the 1 Euro coin. He was selected as an Austrian of European, of indeed worldwide, importance. The portrait used as model was that by Barbara Krafft in 1819. |
Bertha von Suttner was chosen for the design of the 2 Euro coin. The baroness was a leading figure in the peace movement before the First World War, and in 1905 she received the Nobel Prize for Peace. |
| Belgium |
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| King Albert II and a monogram – a capital "A" underneath a crown – among 12 stars, symbolising Europe. The year of issue is part of the design, along with the year the coin was struck. The Belgian Euro Circulation Coins were designed by Jan Alfons Keustermans, Director of the Municipal Academy of Fine Arts of Turnhout. |
| Finland |
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| These show a heraldic lion, which is a reproduction of a design by sculptor Heikki Häiväoja, surrounded by the 12 EU stars. |
Two flying swans above a Finnish lake landscape, surrounded by the 12 EU stars. Designed by sculptor Pertti Mäkinen. |
Two cloudberries and two cloudberry leaves, surrounded by the 12 EU stars. The image is designed on the basis of a 1988 competition entry by the late sculptor Raimo Heino. |
| France |
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| This shows a young, feminine Marianne with determined features that embody the desire for a sound and lasting Europe. It was designed by Fabienne Courtiade, an engraver from the Paris Mint. |
The theme of the sower is a constant in the history of the French franc. Designed by Laurent Jorlo, "this modern, timeless graphic represents France, which stays true to itself, whilst integrating into Europe". |
A tree, drawn by the artist Joaquim Jiminez, appears on these coins, symbolising life, continuity and growth. It is contained in a hexagon and is surrounded by the motto of the Republic "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité". |
| Germany |
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| The oak twig, reminiscent of that found on the current German pfennig coins provides the motif for these coins. It was designed by Professor Rolf Lederbogen. |
The Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of the division of Germany and its subsequent unification, is the motif used on these coins. The perspective of the design, by Reinhard Heinsdorff, emphasises the opening of the gate, stressing the unification of Germany and Europe. |
The traditional symbol of German sovereignty, the eagle, surrounded by the stars of Europe, appears on these coins. This motif was designed by Heinz and Sneschana Russewa-Hoyer. |
| Greece |
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| Depicting an advanced model of an Athenian trireme, dating from the times of Kimon (Maritime Museum). |
Depicting a Corvette, i.e. a type of ship used during the Greek War of Independence (1821). |
Depicting a modern tanker ship. |
Depicting Rigas Velestinlis-Fereos (1757-1798). A forerunner and leading figure of Greek Enlightenment, Rigas Velestinlis-Fereos was also a visionary and a herald of the Balkans liberation from Ottoman rule. A fervent defender of the movement for Greece's independence and a martyr of the then-enslaved nation. |
Depicting Ioannis Capodistrias (1776-1831). A leading national and European politician and diplomat, first Governor (1830-1831) of Greece after the War of Independence. After taking charge of the final stage of the revolution and playing a decisive role in the ultimate victory, Ioannis Capodistrias made notable contributions in such fields as domestic policy, education, justice, public works, social welfare, agriculture, stock breeding, trade and shipping. |
Depicting Eleftherios Venizelos (1864-1936). One of Greece's most important political figures. Seven times Prime Minister, Eleftherios Venizelos was a pioneer in social reform and a versatile diplomat. He played a prominent role in the victorious military campaigns of 1912-1920. |
Depicting an Owl (design taken from an ancient Athenian 4-drachma coin)
Click to Enlarge
430 B.C.Click to Enlarge
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Depicting a scene from mythology, i.e. Europa being abducted by Zeus in the shape of a bull (from a mosaic in Sparta). |
| Ireland |
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| The Celtic harp, a traditional symbol of Ireland, decorated with the year of issue and the word "Eire" - the Irish word for Ireland. The harp shown was designed by Jarlath Hayes. |
| Italy |
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| The Castel del Monte. |
The Mole Antonelliana, a tower designed in 1863 by Alessandro Antonelli. |
The Flavius amphitheatre, which Emperor Vespasian began building around 75 AD and Emperor Titus inaugurated in 80 AD |
Shows one of the most famous works in the world, the "Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli. |
A sculpture by Umberto Boccioni, leader of the Italian futurist school. |
The statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius on horseback. |
The famous drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, displayed in the gallery of the Academy in Venice, illustrating the ideal proportions of the human body. |
Portrait drawn by Raphaël of Dante Alighieri, housed in the Pope Julius II Wing of the Vatican Palace. |
| Luxembourg |
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| His Royal Highness the Grand Duke Henri. They will bear the year of issue and the word "Luxembourg" written in Luxembourgish ("Letzebuerg"). Yvette Gastauer-Claire designed the coins by agreement with the Royal Household and the Luxembourg Government. |
| Monaco |
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| The Netherlands |
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| Queen Beatrix is shown in profile and the words "Beatrix Queen of The Netherlands" are written around the circumference of the coins. Design by Bruno Ninaber van Eyben. |
Queen Beatrix is shown in profile with the words "Beatrix Queen of The Netherlands" in Dutch. The 12 stars are confined to half the circumference of the coin. Design by Bruno Ninaber van Eyben. |
| Portugal |
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| Show the first royal seal, from 1134, along with the word "Portugal". Designer Vítor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos. |
These depict the royal seal of 1142 as the centrepiece of the design. Designer Vítor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos. |
Here the country’s castles and coats of arms are set amid the European stars. This symbolises dialogue, the exchange of values and the dynamics of the building of Europe. The centrepiece is the royal seal of 1144. Designer Vítor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos. |
| San Marino |
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| Spain |
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| The cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a jewel of Spanish Roman art and one of the most famous pilgrimage destinations in the world is pictured on these coins. They show the monumental façade of the Obradoiro, a splendid example of Spanish baroque construction, started in 1667 by Jose del Toro and Domingo de Andrade. It was finished in the 18th century by Fernando Casas y Novoa. |
Miguel de Cervantes, the father of Spanish literature, is shown on these coins, reflecting "the universality of the man and his work". |
Portrait of King Carlos I de Borbon y Borbon. |
| Vatican 2002-2004 |
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| Vatican 2005 |
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Vatican City has taken the initiative to issue at 30 June 2005 all Euro Circulation Coins for the Sede Vacante event.
On 2 April 2005, Holy Father John Paul II passed away; on 19 April 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was elected. During the vacancy of the See, ordinary administration was assumed by the Apostolic Camera, presided over by the Cardinal Camerlingo of the Holy Roman Church and composed of the Vice-Camerlingo and the Cleric Prelates of the Camera. The issuing of coins during the Vacant See is intended to commemorate the event and to ensure continuity by exercising the State's authority to mint coins. The series includes 8 different values (2 Euro, 1 Euro, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 Eurocent). The reverse side bears the standard technical characteristics, which are the same for all the countries that have adopted the European single currency. The obverse side of all the coins bears the heraldic arms of the Cardinal Camerlingo and of the Apostolic Camera (two keys in saltire surmounted by a canopy), and the words "CITTA' DEL VATICANO", "SEDE VACANTE MMV" together with twelve stars.
Sculptor: Daniela Longo |
| Engraver: Maria Angela Cassol |
Engraver: Luciana De Simoni |
Engraver: Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini |
Engraver: Maria Carmela Colaneri |
Engraver: Maria Angela Cassol |
Engraver: Luciana De Simoni |
Engraver: Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini |
Engraver: Maria Carmela Colaneri |
| Vatican 2006 |
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The coin portrays the bust of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Either side of the portrait are, to the left, the
designer's initials ‘DL’ and, to the right, the mint mark ‘R’. The legend ‘CITTÀ DEL VATICANO’ followed
by the year 2006 is engraved in a semi-circle above the portrait. The twelve stars of the European flag
encircle the design. |
The internal part of the coin portrays the bust of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. The year 2006
surmounted by the mint mark ‘R’ appears to the right of the coin. The legend ‘CITTÀ DEL VATICANO’ is
arranged in the form of an arc of a circle broken by the portrait. The twelve stars of the European flag are
positioned around the outer circle of the coin. |
| Sculptor: Daniela Longo |
| Engraver: Luciana De Simoni |
Engraver: Luciana De Simoni |
Engraver: Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini |
Engraver: Maria Carmela Colaneri |
Engraver: Maria Angela Cassol |
Engraver: Maria Angela Cassol |
Engraver: Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini |
Engraver: Maria Carmela Colaneri |
