Euro coins

The euro coins are in 18 countries of the European Union and the non-EU states of Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City put into circulation coins of the European currency Euro.

The euro coins were introduced along with the euro banknotes as from 1 January 2002. The year of the coins but can go back to 1999, the year in which the currency was officially introduced as book money.

One euro is divided into 100 cents; There are eight denominations of coins.

• 4.1 collector coins
• 4.2 2- euro commemorative coins
• 4.3 Joint Issues of 2- euro commemorative coins

Description

Deviating from the usual in numismatics designation is referred to as back in the official letter from the EU, the value side as the front side and the image side. The names used here are based on those used by the EU.

Density: 6.6 g / cm ³

Density: 6.9 g / cc and 7.1 g / cm ³ at 50 cent coins

Ring: Nickel Brass (75% Cu, 20% Zn, 5% Ni) Core: layered copper nickel, nickel, copper nickel ( Magnimat ) Density: 7.6 g / cm ³

Ring: Copper Nickel (75% Cu, 25 % Ni) Layered nickel - brass, nickel, nickel - brass: core Density: 7.4 g / cm ³

Construction

Common to all 1 - and 2- euro coins, a structure of ring and core ( also pill). When one Euro coin is the brass ring and the core of copper nickel. In the 2- euro coin, it is vice versa. Prior to imprinting we also speak of blanks and blanks.

Depreciation, scrapping

In Germany, when drawn out of traffic 1 - and 2- euro coins for cancellation ring and pill isolated from each other. The formed here Münzschrott being sold off by the other VEBEG GmbH, the recycling companies, the federal government, a metal merchant. In March 2011, scammers have been arrested who were put back together several million rings and pills of its kind in China and bartered again at the Bundesbank as allegedly damaged coins.

Common obverse of the coins

All euro coins have common front pages that specify the value of the coin. They were the winners of the competition were made to this design theme, the Belgian designer Luc Luyckx, designed its logo "LL " is embossed. End of 1997, Luc Luyckx took several changes to his coin designs. Thus, the applications of some Member States should be taken into account which aimed to improve the quality of geographic representation: Luxembourg was on the 1 - and 2- euro coins, not to recognize Portugal on the 2 - euro coins, Denmark expressed its amazement at the fact that the island of Funen was drawn on some coins as part of the mainland, Greece held the coastline of the Peloponnese on the 10 -, 20 - and 50 - cent coins to be wrong and wanted the figure of Crete on the 1 - and 2- euro coins, Sweden wanted the island of Gotland, Finland, the Åland Islands and the United Kingdom see mapped the Hebrides, the shape of Germany was on the 10 -, 20 - and 50-cent coins are not reproduced correctly, it lacked the boundary between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and between Spain and Portugal, and the Spaniards made ​​a point of the Canary Islands to 1 - ready to see and 2- euro coins. In order to measure the motions to objective criteria, it was decided to consider only islands of over 2,500 km ², and the island groups of over 5000 km ².

The stamping since 1999 unchanged 1 -, 2 - and 5- cent coins depict the Northern Hemisphere to the Eastern Mediterranean in the center, so Europe as a continent in proximity to Asia and Africa. In its day, the 15 EU states are shown forming structured. The 10 -, 20 - and 50-cent coins until 2007, the individual EU member states are seen as singular pieces of the puzzle; the enlargement of the European Union from 2004 was not included in subsequent embossing. EU members not participating in the euro, such as the UK, are shown. The 1 - and 2- euro coins until 2007 show the structure of the EU countries before the first enlargement. 2- Euro - coins Europe and displayed without borders as a whole ( see below section redesign ) - From 2007 to the 10 -, 20 - and 50-cent, and the 1. All coins show twelve stars as a symbol of Europe (see also: Symbolism of the European flag ).

Revised common front

With the introduction of the euro on 1 January 2007 in Slovenia, the common obverse sides were subjected to a redesign. Instead of the previous 15 Member States of the European Union show the revised coins the geographical outlines of Europe. In the general overview Iceland was spared, Cyprus was not indicated according to the actual situation and at the 1 - and 2- euro coins only a part of Finland shown. In the 1 - and 2- euro coins, as well as the 10 -, 20 - and 50 - cent coins was waived the presentation of state borders. The 1 -, 2 - and 5- cent coins were not changed, although only the territory of the first 15 members of the EU is marked on the imaged globe. Most euro area countries began with the introduction of new fronts in 2007. In Italy, Austria, Portugal, San Marino and the Vatican City, the new front in 2008 has been introduced. The older coins with the presentation of the 15 EU member states remain valid.

National reverse side of the coins

Although the EU, only 18 States are participating in the monetary union, there are ( from about March 2014 when the Andorran coin come into circulation for the first time ) 22 different sets of coins. In Andorra, which is associated by currency agreements with the euro zone, the euro has been for April 1, 2012 is considered to be legal tender; the mint its own euro coins but was only approved in December 2013. Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City are also not EU members, were, however, before the introduction of the euro due to currency agreements in monetary union with France or Italy. Therefore, it was deemed necessary to replace the respective monetary agreements through new bilateral agreements with the European Union, which will give these dwarf states the right to mint their own euro coins.

Each country participating in the euro, has its own design of the back. All coins show on this page, the year and the twelve stars of the EU flag.

The national sides are described in separate articles:

• Andorran euro coins
• Belgian euro coins
• German euro coins
• Estonian euro coins
• Finnish euro coins
• French euro coins
• Greek euro coins
• Irish euro coins
• Italian euro coins
• Latvian euro coins
• Luxembourgish euro coins
• Maltese euro coins
• Monegasque euro coins
• Dutch euro coins
• Austrian euro coins
• Portuguese euro coins
• Sammarinese euro coins
• Slovak euro coins
• Slovenian euro coins
• Spanish euro coins
• Vatican Euro coins
• Cypriot euro coins

1 - to 5 - cent coins

In Finland and the Netherlands are 1 - and 2- cent coins still marked only for collectors, to offer complete coin sets can. Although one can in these countries with 1 - Pay or 2 cent coins; but they are not issued as change - the sum at the box office is at 5 cents rounded up or down. The Belgian cabinet approved on 7 February 2014 a draft law, which provides round at par on 1, 2, 6, or 7 cents total amounts to a multiple of 5 cents, cents rounded up at 3, 4, 8, or 9. This measure, however, enter into force only after the presence of a corresponding Royal Decree.

The production of euro coins is a matter for individual Member States. Since the decisions are made locally, there is no coordinated production and / or storage, so that efficiency gains will be lost as a summary. So it is possible that some countries will have additional influence euro coins, while other countries have surplus stock of that denomination. Therefore, it is advisable to check for improvement in the smaller denominations (1, 2 and 5 cents), which account for an average total of about 80 % of new coin production. Compared to their face value they achieve little or no monetary income and incur high production and transport costs. Because of different national sides restrict the exchange or transfer of Münzvorräten among countries and contrary to an increased efficiency of mass production, a "standard page " instead of the national side could cover part of the demand to the three smallest coin denominations.

On July 4, 2012 appointed a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council, the Commission should an impact assessment on a continued output of 1 - and 2 make - cent coins. The EU Commission then made on May 14, 2013 Suggestions for a benefit or the abolition of the 1 - and 2- cent coins. Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn noted that the production and release of these coins over climb their value. At the same time, the central banks would have to give out just from these coins, especially the number of copies. A total of 45.8 billion of such small coins were put into circulation in the last eleven years. The output of micro coins have together cost the euro countries since the start of the single currency in 2002, about 1.4 billion euros. The cost for the cent coins could be reduced by about a different material mixture or a more efficient stamping process.

Design guidelines

The Commission of the European Communities Council Recommendation of 29 September 2003 on a common practice for changes to the design of the national sides of euro circulation coins, which only that but the image to be framed on the national side of twelve stars and should have a date.

That made the national coin designers a wide open space. So the twelve stars were not always placed at equal intervals on the edge of the coin, but also closely located, for example in groups so that space for the coin motif or lettering was kept free. The 2- euro commemorative coins of the German states series were able to carry on the ring, the term " Federal Republic of Germany ".

That changed when on 19 December 2008, new guidelines were adopted that certain that on the national side of euro circulation coins, the national design, including the year and clearly defined and easily recognizable name or an abbreviation of the issuing country of the twelve European to be edged stars. The European stars should be arranged as on the European flag.

The three editions of the German federal states series ( 2010, 2011 and 2012) was imported from space, country code D ( the long version of the Federal Republic of Germany replaced ) between the stars in 12 - and 1- clock position (referred to in analogy to the dial ) placed bisected year between the 7 - and 5 - clock - star. Clearly, therefore, there was a room for interpretation about what " surrounded by the twelve stars of Europe " means.

Modified design guidelines were issued on June 18, 2012. Now, the ring remains solely with the presentation of the twelve star reserved, except superior to the ring parts of the subject. The coin of 2013 from the states series shows the D and the year therefore on the pill, within the circle of stars.

The guidelines of 2008, the circular arrangement of twelve stars is prescribed in 30 ° intervals, such as the placement of the hour digits indicating a clock. The predetermined by the European flag ratio of the size of a star to the radius of the circle on which lie the centers of the stars, can on the coins not be strictly adhered to - the stars would then be significantly larger than the beprägbare part about at the 2- euro coins of the ring, as shown below showing the ring of a Finnish commemorative coin of 2012 overlapping stars.

The 2013 chosen by Germany in representation, in which the stars are as large as possible on the ring comes to the EU Commission next intentions. The chosen of the Netherlands for the change of ruler commemorative coin 2013 representation with much smaller, gerückten to the outer edge and textured stars, however, shows that the new EU guidelines still have room to maneuver.

Redesign

Also for the national sides, new design guidelines were given. So is the name of the editor state appear (as was previously the case in some countries ). A repetition of the declaration of value ( as in the past to the Austrian coins) should be omitted, unless in the relevant country other than the Latin alphabet. In addition to Greece and the Republic of Cyprus that could affect the future of Bulgaria.

However, the recent euro - countries need to representations does not work immediately, but only at a possible redesign. Finland began with the implementation of the new guidelines in 2007, Belgium was established in 2008 and Spain in 2010.

Dimensions, mass and other technical specifications of the coins should remain unchanged so as not to hamper transition from old to new coins.

As part of the European Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008, the guidelines for the redesign of the national sides were more concrete. Thus, in the normal case a change in the national side is no longer possible. Until now, the recommendation that no changes should be 2008 by the end of the year. Now redesigns are only allowed under the following conditions:

• The countries whose coins the recommendations above do not yet meet ( Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Austria and Slovenia), can make the necessary adjustments at any time but they must take place no later than June 20, 2062.
• The countries whose coins depict the respective head of state may update the portrait at the earliest after 15 years. From this, there are currently the following possible redesign dates:. Luxembourg and Spain in 2014, Monaco in 2021, and Belgium, the Netherlands and Vatican City 2029 separating the head of state (such as death or resignation ) from office, an immediate redesign of the coins is still possible. However, it is no longer allowed to issue its own coin set for the period between the departure of the old head of state from his office and the appointment of the new head of state - as 2005 in Vatican City, while the see is vacant after the death of Pope John Paul II, happened.

Me already made and approved changes to national sides exist. All previous Euro coins retain their value and remain in circulation. It is intended that all currently valid recommendations and guidelines be reconsidered in 2015, so that they then can optionally also be modified again.

Currency in circulation

In August 2009, around 86 billion euro coins with a total value of nearly 21 billion euros in circulation. The outstanding value of each coin is rising at their face value; 1% of the outstanding value of all the coins is in the 1- cent coins, almost 40% is in the 2- euro coins. However, piece Numerically, the more numerous coins in circulation, the smaller is its face value; only 1 euro coins are slightly more likely than 50 - cent coins. Just about 20 billion run by 1 cent coins, but only about 4 billion 2- euro coins.

In comparison to the euro banknotes coins make up only 2.7 % of the total currency in circulation of 768 billion euros. However, the outstanding amounts of the individual bills are lower. Only the 50 - euro note is more common than the 2 - euro coin, but less than all other coins.

Future Euro States

→ Main article: Euro zone

• Denmark and Sweden: In the two Scandinavian countries, the introduction of the euro was rejected by referendum (Sweden is contractually obliged to adopt the euro, however, prevents this with a technical measure). Denmark has already tied its currency to the euro. Designs for Danish euro coins are.

• Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic and Hungary: These countries have not participated in ERM II. Currently, none of these countries also complies with the EU convergence criteria. With the accession of these countries to the euro zone is not to be expected in the coming years.

• United Kingdom: There are no plans in the foreseeable future, the introduction of the euro. It is assumed that the majority of Britons reject the euro.

Special coins

Collector coins

In addition to the € - coin valid as legal tender in all the participating countries, each participating in Monetary Union country has the right to issue collector coins.

Collector coins differ in nominal and in at least two of the three criteria thickness, diameter and color of the coin.

These collector coins are legal tender only in the issuing country of payment. As collectors and material value of gold coins significantly exceed their face value, they rarely play a role in payments. The German silver coins to be issued at par, are in circulation are rare.

Due to an EU Regulation of 4 July 2012 collector coins must have other denominations than the regular circulation coins (1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 euros ). This requirement is met by a rule that collector coins have a nominal value of more than 2 euros. They often correspond to the denominations of the bills (5, 10, 50, 100 and 200 euros ), but there is in some states and collectors coins with unusual denominations. Thus, there are, among others, the following collector coins:

• Belgium: 12 ½ - and 25 - euro gold coins
• Estonia: 12- euro silver coins
• France: ¼ -, 1 ½ - and 15 - euro silver coins. A 5 - euro coin from 333 silver is partly used in the country as a circulating coin.
• Ireland: 15 Euro silver coin
• Luxembourg: 700- euro cents silver coin and 25 - euro silver coins
• Austria: Nine Square 5 - euro coins of copper or 80 % silver. There is also a 25 -Euro bimetal coin ( ring made of 900 silver core of niobium). The Vienna Philharmonic in silver ( with a nominal value of € 1 ½ ) and gold ( with denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100 and 100,000 euros ) are considered euro collector coins.
• Portugal: ¼ - euro gold coins, 1 ½ -, 2 ½ - and 8- euro coins of copper, silver or gold, as well as 7 ½ - euro coins of copper or gold.
• Slovenia: 3 euros - and bimetallic 30 - Euro silver coins.
• Spain: 12 Euro silver coin and a twelve-sided 300 - euro - Trimetallmünze

2- euro commemorative coins

→ Main article: 2- euro commemorative coins

Since 2004, all states of the euro area 2- euro commemorative coins can issue. 2- euro commemorative coins (as opposed to collector coins ) intended for circulation and valid in all euro countries. Each Country could only issue a commemorative coin in the year to 16 August 2012; since this date shall any Member State whose currency is the euro, a year dominated by two 2- euro commemorative coins. Additional commemorative coins are possible if the countries of the euro zone issue a common commemorative coin or if the position of Head of State or temporarily not occupied on a temporary basis.

2- euro commemorative coins differ from the regular Coin only in that their national side is replaced by a special memorial page. The common side and all other features such as face value, color, thickness and diameter are the same.

The requirements of this commemorative coins are fixed and can not, as in the circulation of money, to be adjusted. The first coin was issued by Greece during the Olympic Games in 2004.

Joint Issues of 2- euro commemorative coins

In March 2007, a joint issue of the 2- euro commemorative coin was released on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome. It was issued by all 13 euro emitting the EU Member States ( ie without Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City ). The coin is made ​​the same in all countries and differs only by the respective country name and language of the inscription Treaties of Rome - 50 years. On it by the Treaty of the six countries involved and the place of signature, the Campidoglio square in Rome, can be seen.

The second common 2- Euro commemorative coin was released on 1 January 2009 on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the European Economic and Monetary Union.

The third common 2- Euro commemorative coin was released on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the introduction of euro notes and coins on 1 January 2012.

Production

Euro coins have been and are marked in the following mints:

Euro precursor, pattern coins and Essays

These imprints are no longer legal tender and are therefore not be described as coins but as medals.

The pattern coins and test strikes do not come from the Central Bank and the national mints in most cases. Rather, it is about imagination imprints by individuals or Münzhandelsfirmen; the design is not therefore the possible appearance of later official euro coins of these countries again.

Pattern coins and Essays will be offered for virtually all EU countries that have not yet adopted the euro. In some countries, such as Germany, these medals are under circumstances in opposition to current coinage proclamation.

Furthermore, there were so-called euro precursor, regionally valid pseudo - currencies.

Allergy potential

Euro coins have on the basis of their share in a high nickel allergy potential. According to estimates by allergists in Germany suffer up to 11 percent of women and 6 percent of men under a nickel allergy. Come longer with the metal in contact, the skin reddens, itches and forms bubbles.

According to the Association of German Allergists have the 1 - and 2- euro coins a nickel content of 25 percent. Cashier and bank employees have thus a significantly increased risk of allergy.