€ 2 commemorative coins are special euro coins minted by the Euro-issuing States since 2004, as a legal tender in these countries, which usually commemorate anniversaries of historical or current events of particular relevance.
Summary
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- 1 Emergence
- 2 Value
- 3 Regulations
- 1 Measurements
- 4 Modifications
- 5 Source
Emergence
The basis for the existence of commemorative coins derives from a Decision of the European Council, which removed the prohibition to change the national obverse of the coins as of January 1, 2004, provided it is to issue commemorative coins and only in the denomination of € 2. As of 2016, three € 2 commemorative coins common in all eurozone countries (excluding non-EU states) and ninety-six € 2 commemorative coins have been issued in different countries.
Value
The importance of these special series lies in their great value for collectors, who very often pay for them above the nominal value of the coin. They should not be confused with silver and gold commemorative euro coins (with a face value other than € 2), which are officially designated as ‘collector coins’ not intended for circulation, and which are usually made of precious metals.
Regulations
States must follow a series of regulations regarding these currencies.
- Each State can only issue one commemorative coin per year and always in the format of € 2. Since 2013 two commemorative coins per year are allowed.
- The joint commemorative issues made by all the states of the eurozone are additional to the issues made by each state individually.
- In the event of the change of the head of state in one of them, that state may issue an additional commemorative coin. The fact that the head of state is vacant or provisionally occupied will not entitle a commemorative issue.
- Commemorative coins have a different national face than usual and keep the common one.
- They are intended to commemorate some relevant event or personality.
- They have limited the maximum volume of emission.
Measurements
The total number of coins put into circulation per year must not exceed the following measures:
- 1% of the total number of € 2 coins put into circulation by all members of the Eurozone. This limit can be exceptionally extended up to 2% if the coin commemorates a very important event. In this case, the issuing Member State must refrain from publishing commemorative coins in the following 4 years.
- 0% of the total € 2 coins put into circulation by the issuing State.
The 2 euro commemorative coins from France have a diameter of 25.75 mm. Its thickness is 2.2 mm. They also have a weight of 8.5 gr. Alloy: bimetal: nickel-brass interior.
The 2 euro commemorative coins from Portugal have a diameter of 25.75 mm. Its thickness is 2.2 mm. They have a weight of 8.5 gr. Alloy: bimetal: nickel-brass interior.
In 2011 the € 2 commemorative coins from Spain were proclaimed as UNESCO World Heritage: ALHAMBRA de GRANADA and the Generalife. Print run of 8,000,000 pieces.
Modifications
- Since 2005 , the recommendations in the design of the national faces of all coins have been modified, which has also affected the designs of the € 2 commemorative coins of the following years.
- In 2009 a new decision was enacted that included a modification affecting only commemorative coins:
- The letters on the edge of the € 2 commemorative coins must be identical to normal coins.
- From 2004 to 2015, € 2 commemorative coins have been issued in a total of 23 countries independently:
- The 12 original countries of the eurozone: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Greece
- The 7 new countries incorporated into the eurozone from 2007: Slovenia (2007), Cyprus (2008), Malta (2008), Slovakia (2009), Estonia (2011), Latvia (2014) and Lithuania (2015)
- The 4 countries that have agreements with the euro zone to use the common currency: Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City and Andorra
