2 euro coins
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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2 euro coins are made of an inner coin and an outer ring. The inner part is made of three layers nickel brass, brass and nickel brass. The outer part is made of cupronickel. They have a diameter of 25.75 mm, a 2.20 mm thickness and a mass of 8.5 grams. The coins' edges vary between national issues. Most are finely ribbed with edge lettering. All coins have a common reverse side and country-specific national sides.
 Common side of all 2 euro coins minted before 2007 |
 Common side of all 2 euro coins minted from 2007 onwards |
[edit] Current national edges
- Belgium[1], France[2], Ireland[3], Luxembourg[4], Monaco[5], Spain[6]: The edge lettering features the number "2" six times alternated with ** for a total of 12 stars. Actually six times the sequence '2 * * ' alternately upright and inverted.
- Italy[7], San Marino[8], Vatican City[9]: The edge lettering features the number "2" six times alternated with * for a total of six stars. The sequence '2 *' is alternately upright and inverted.
- Austria[10]: The edge lettering features the combination "2 EURO" four times alternated with *** for a total of 12 stars. The "2 EURO" is alternately upright and inverted.
- Finland[11]: The edge lettering features SUOMI FINLAND and three lion's heads (SUOMI means Finland in Finnish, and FINLAND means Finland in Swedish, the two official languages in Finland)
- Germany[12]: The edge lettering features the words "EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT" (Unity and Justice and Freedom), Germany's national motto and the beginning of Germany's national anthem.
- Greece[13]: the words Hellenic Republic in Greek and in Greek script (ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ) can be found.
- Netherlands[14]: The edge lettering features the words "GOD * ZIJ * MET * ONS *" (God Be With Us). The same lettering had been applied to the larger guilder coins
- Portugal[15]: The edge lettering features the seven castles and five coats of arms also found on the national side, all equally spaced.
- Slovenia[16]: "S L O V E N I J A (Slovenia in Slovenian)"
[edit] Current national sides
 Austria: Bertha von Suttner, the Austrian radical pacifist and Nobel Peace Prize winner |
 Finland: The fruit and leaves of the cloudberry, designed by Raimo Heino |
 France: A stylised tree contained in a hexagon¹ with the national motto, Liberté, égalité, fraternité, drawn by artist Joaquim Jiminez |
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 Germany: Interpretation of the coat of arms of Germany, the German eagle |
 Ireland: The Cláirseach, a traditional Irish harp |
 Italy: Portrait of Dante Alighieri by painter Raphael |
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 Luxembourg: Effigy of Grand Duc Henri |
 Netherlands: Portrait of Queen Beatrix, her title vertically shown as in the former gulden coin |
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 San Marino: Il Palazzo Pubblico of San Marino |
 Slovenia: France Prešeren and the first line of the 7th stanza of Zdravljica, the Slovenian national anthem |
 Spain: Portrait of King Juan Carlos I |
 Vatican: Effigy of Pope Benedict XVI |
[edit] Notes
- As France is broadly hexagonal, l'hexagone is often used as slang to refer to France
[edit] Former national sides
 Monaco: Effigy of Rainier III |
 Vatican: Effigy of the late Pope John Paul II |
 Vatican: Emblem of the Apostolic Chamber |
[edit] Future national sides
 Cyprus: The Idol of Pomos, a cross-shaped idol dating to 3000 BC, a characteristic example of prehistoric art, representing Cypriot antiquity, culture and civilization |
 Latvia: Freedom Monument |
 Lithuania: The Vytis, the Lithuanian coat of arms. |
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 Malta: The Maltese Cross |
 Slovakia: The Slovak coat of arms, the Double Cross on Three Hills, as designed by Ivan Řehák |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Belgium. European Central Bank.
- ^ France. European Central Bank.
- ^ Ireland. European Central Bank.
- ^ Luxemburg. European Central Bank.
- ^ Monaco. European Central Bank.
- ^ Spain. European Central Bank.
- ^ Italy. European Central Bank.
- ^ San Marino. European Central Bank.
- ^ Vatican City. European Central Bank.
- ^ Austria. European Central Bank.
- ^ Finland. European Central Bank.
- ^ Germany. European Central Bank.
- ^ Greece. European Central Bank.
- ^ Netherlands. European Central Bank.
- ^ Portugal. European Central Bank.
- ^ Slovenia. European Central Bank.
[edit] External links
- National sides of 2€ coins. European Central Bank. Retrieved on 2007-01-03.
