Coins & Paper Money -> Coins: World -> Europe

Euro coins were first put into circulation in 2002 by the European Union. There are 8 coins: 1, 2 5, 10 and 20 cent coins, as well a the 100 and 200 cent coins, which equal 1 and 2 Euros, respectively. Because these aren’t just coins used as legal tender within one country but rather all of Europe, they have a common side that shows a map of Europe, and the other side of each Euro bears a design that represents the country of its origin.

Though Euro coins weren’t circulated until 2002, some were minted as early as 1999. Earlier versions of the 10, 20 and 50 cent pieces bore a map of Europe that made it appear all the countries were islands, as the borders between them were shown as actual breaks in the landmass. The 1 and 2 Euro coins showed Europe as a cohesive nation while still depicting borders between the countries. Each nation chooses its own reverse design, while the common side with its stars, bars and map of Europe remains the same throughout.

Euros coins are interesting for collectors because of this diversity. Some countries choose their national side to be the same on each coin like Belgium has, or each coin can bear a different design, like Italy’s. Belgian Euros actually draw a great deal on the nation’s previous coin designs while some countries like France use monuments and symbols with very stylized designs on their coins.

Additionally, there are certain rules the national designs must follow. The design must contain 12 stars, the year of issue and the engraver’s initials. The national side also can’t show the denomination of the coin because that’s on the common side, nor can it repeat the word Euro unless it’s written in another alphabet, like it is on the Greek coins.

The national side on Euro coins is also locked in until the end of 2008, with no changes allowed unless a monarch depicted on the coins dies or abdicates the throne. The Vatican coins were allows to change their national side when Pope John Paul II died in 1995. They issued a different coin while the throne was empty, then in 2006 they issued coins featuring the effigy of the new Pope, Pop Benedict XVI.

Commemorative coins are released regularly. In 2007 all countries that produce the Euro created a Treaty of Rome commemorative coin that was almost identical to that of every other country. Euro coins have also been designed to make it easy for blind or sight-impaired individuals to be able to distinguish between the coins. Each has a unique edge design that can be felt to identify the amount of currency, and the sizes go up with the value of the coin.

For coin collectors, Euro coins can be a fascinating part of their hobby with so many different coins featuring so many different designs. Online auctions like eBay are a popular place to acquire the coins, which are graded similarly to any collectible coins.

Photo Credits: Ivan Walsh

Originally posted 2008-10-23 14:00:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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