| Euro Coins |
| Abbreviation |
Terminology |
Definition |
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Euro Coins |
A Euro Coin can be a Euro Circulation Coin, a Euro Commemorative Coin or a Euro Collector Coin. |
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Euro Circulation Coins |
There are currently eight denominations of euro coins in circulation: the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and the €1 and €2. The denominations and technical specifications of the coins are harmonised and they have legal tender status throughout the euro area since 1 January 2002. However, each Member State issues coins with its own national design on one side of each denomination, whilst the other side features a common European motif. In addition to the euro area Member States, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City are also entitled to issue limited quantities of Euro Circulation Coins through agreements with the Community.
Euro Circulation Coins have the following characteristics:
Coins intended for circulation.
Issued by Member States.
Means of payment.
Issued at face value.
Legal tender throughout member states adopting the euro.
Have a common face.
Have a national obverse side (the design is surrounded by twelve stars).
Eight denominations (1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent, 1 and 2 euro.
Their denominations and technical features are equal in all countries adopting the euro.
Technical specifications are harmonised by a Council Regulation.
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Euro Commemorative Coins |
Euro Commemorative Coins are commemorative variations of Euro Circulation Coins, in the sense that they have a different national side from the standard one, and commemorate a specific event or personality. They comply with the denominations and with the technical specifications of Euro Circulation Coins and have legal tender status throughout the euro area. As these coins must bear one of the common sides, the commemorative feature must appear on the national side so that the common side remains unaffected. The volume of coins and/or the production period of this coin variation are limited. It has been agreed between Member States and the Commission that all commemorative coin issues would be limited to a single coin denomination (€2).
Euro Commemorative Coins have the following characteristics:
Issued by Member States.
Intended for circulation.
Legal tender throughout the euro area.
Issued at face value.
The 2-euro coin must be the sole denomination used for such commemorative issues;
The number of issues must be limited to one per Member State per year;
The total number of coins put into circulation must not exceed the higher of the following ceilings: 0.1% of the total number of 2-euro coins brought into circulation by all the Member States in the euro area; this ceiling may be raised to 2% if a highly symbolic event is commemorated, in which case the issuer should refrain from launching another similar commemorative coin issue for a period of four years; 5.0% of the total number of 2-euro coins brought into circulation by the issuing State.
Common design on the reverse side.
Have a national obverse side (the design is surrounded by twelve stars).
The year must be indicated.
Their denominations and technical features are the same as other euro coins intended for circulation.
Technical specifications of the 2 euro coin.
Note: some commemorative coins are not issued with a view of entering into circulation, in which case they are collector coins, and the rules for collector coins apply.
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Euro Collector Coins |
Euro Collector Coins are not intended for circulation and must differ from regular euro coins.
Euro Collector Coins have the following characteristics:
Issued by Member States.
Not intended for circulation.
Legal tender only in the country of issue (Ecofin Council, 23 November 1998. NOTE: Countries can agree to have mutual recognition so that the collector coins can be sold to the authorities on par value. This procedure has so far has not been applied in any member state.).
Face value different from coins intended for circulation.
Selling price equal or above their face value.
Do not have a common face design; No images which are similar to the common side of the circulation coins.
Have a design at least slightly different from the national sides of circulation coins; The obverse side should be at least slightly different from the national design for circulation coins
Face value different from coins intended for circulation (Collector coins cannot have a face value equal to the 8 denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cent and 1 and 2 euro).
Technical features different to coins issued for circulation (At least two of the three criteria of weight, diameter and colour has to be significantly different from those of the euro coins issued for circulation. Collector coins cannot have a shaped edge with fine scallops, or “spanish flower”.).
Identity of the issuing member state is clearly and easily recognisable.
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