March 19, 2010, 12:13 CET
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Euro-Coins FAQ
Overview
This is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the euro coins. Please read the following information before contacting the Bundesbank. We will not answer or retain enquiries regarding questions/answers given here.
Regular issue coins: minting
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- What is the value of coins minted in a particular year? What value does a defectively minted coin have?
- Where are the German euro coins minted?
- Which mints are responsible for producing the euro coins of the individual member states?
- How many euro coins were minted to meet the initial demand?
- If the lettering on the rim of the €2 coin is the right way up when the eagle/the denomination is uppermost or if the colour of the coin is slightly different from the others (eg reddish), does it mean that the coin has been defectively minted?
- Are there any plans to mint €5 coins?
- What are the technical specifications of the euro coins?
- There is a symbol in the lower right-hand quarter of the obverse side of all euro coins that resembles the figure "4". What does it stand for?
- Who chooses the design of the euro coins? Can the individual member states change the motifs on the "national" reverse sides of the coins at any time, for example in the event of the death or abdication of the monarch depicted on the coins?
- Why did Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican also introduce euro coins with their own national reverse sides?
What is the value of coins minted in a particular year? What value does a defectively minted coin have?
The Bundesbank is only responsible for putting an adequate amount of payment media into circulation. It does not trade in coins and is therefore unable to provide information on the value that coins may have for collectors.
Various coin catalogues are available which give details of DM coins. These can be consulted in libraries and are also on sale in bookshops. It should be noted, however, that the values given are reference values. Whether these can be obtained depends on several factors, the most important being the condition of the coin.
There are still no comparable data on allegedly defective euro coins. Such coins can naturally be exchanged at their face value for valid payment media at all branches of the Bundesbank.
Where are the German euro coins minted?
As was the case for the DM coins, the German euro coins are minted at the five German mints. The coins' place of manufacture is shown by the mintmark (Berlin A, Munich D, Stuttgart F, Karlsruhe G and Hamburg J). The total mint volume is distributed among the mints in accordance with a standard quota key. You can find further details on the minting statistics in Germany under "Orders to mint coins for circulation".
Otherwise, where the coins come from can be seen from the national motif on their reverse side as Germany is the only country to use more than one mint. However, the following countries have their euro coins minted in other countries - Luxembourg in the Netherlands, Slovenia and Cyprus in Finland and Malta in France. The tiny states of Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican have their euro coins minted in France or Italy.
More detailed information can be found in our brochure on euro coins "Euro-Münzen" (available in German only).
Which mints are responsible for producing the euro coins of the individual member states?
Futher information can be found in the brochure "Euro-coins" (in German only)
| Country | Mint | Mintmark | First Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Brussels | None | 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| Germany | Berlin | A | 2002 |
| Germany | Munich | D | 2002 |
| Germany | Stuttgart | F | 2002 |
| Germany | Karlsruhe | G | 2002 |
| Germany | Hamburg | J | 2002 |
| Finland | Helsinki-Vantaa | None | 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| France | Pessac | Cornucopia | 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| Greece | Athens | Floral design | 2002 |
| Ireland | Dublin | None | 2002 |
| Italy | Rome | R | 2002 |
| Luxembourg | Utrecht (NL) | Mercury's wand | 2002 |
| Monaco | Pessac (F) | Cornucopia | 2001 |
| Netherlands | Utrecht | Mercury's wan | 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| Austria | Vienna | None | 2002 |
| Portugal | Lisbon | INCM | 2002 |
| San Marino | Rome (I) | None | 2002 |
| Spain | Madrid | M with crown | 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| Vatican | Rome (I) | None | 2002 |
| Slovenia (2007) | Helsinki-Vantaa | Fi | 2007 |
| Malta (2008) | Pessac (F) | F | 2008 |
| Cyprus (2008) | Helsinki-Vantaa | Fi | 2008 |
| Slovakia (2009) | Kremnica | MK in a circle | 2009 |
How many euro coins were minted to meet the initial demand?
The following table shows the initial supply of euro coins in the euro area.
| Country | € 2.00 | € 1.00 | € 0.50 | € 0.20 | € 0.10 | € 0.05 | € 0.02 | € 0.01 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The figures indicate the volume of coins minted in millions. | ||||||||
| Belgium | 120 | 160 | 197 | 181 | 327 | 300 | 337 | 335 |
| Germany | 1,000 | 1,700 | 1,600 | 1,600 | 3,300 | 2,300 | 1,800 | 3,700 |
| Finland | 50 | 60 | 72 | 190 | 285 | 355 | 23 | 35 |
| France | 470 | 820 | 650 | 800 | 1,080 | 1,130 | 1,500 | 1,700 |
| Greece | 136 | 98 | 121 | 309 | 214 | 240 | 143 | 73 |
| Ireland | 45 | 102 | 82 | 138 | 114 | 144 | 176 | 277 |
| Italy | 310 | 950 | 1,100 | 1,400 | 900 | 1,380 | 900 | 1,00 |
| Luxembourg | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Monaco | 0,913 | 0,979 | 0,303 | 0,369 | 0,310 | 0,310 | 0,376 | 0,330 |
| Netherlands | 175 | 200 | 350 | 350 | 375 | 425 | 425 | 500 |
| Austria | 150 | 200 | 160 | 190 | 400 | 140 | 210 | 350 |
| Portugal | 40 | 68 | 152 | 116 | 220 | 196 | 272 | 232 |
| San Marino | 0,256 | 0,361 | 0,230 | 0,302 | 0,120 | 0,120 | 0,120 | 0,120 |
| Spain | 190 | 435 | 1,264 | 901 | 901 | 1,083 | 1,500 | 811 |
| Vatican | 0,075 | 0,075 | 0,075 | 0,075 | 0,075 | 0,075 | 0,075 | 0,075 |
| Slovenia (2007) | 21 | 30 | 32 | 37 | 43 | 44 | 44 | 45 |
| Malta (2008) | 10 | 14 | 15 | 40 | 41 | 34 | 36 | 10 |
| Cyprus (2008) | 16 | 28 | 30 | 65 | 70 | 60 | 100 | 26 |
| Slovakia (2009) | 35 | 42.6 | 54 | 63 | 68 | 78 | 74 | 84.4 |
| Total | 2,779 | 4,919 | 5,890 | 6,391 | 8,359 | 7,930 | 7,561 | 9,199 |
For further information on the initial supply of coins and the subsequent minting volumes in each of the participating states, please contact the monetary authorities concerned. You can find further details on the minting statistics in Germany under "Orders to mint coins for circulation".
If the lettering on the rim of the €2 coin is the right way up when the eagle/the denomination is uppermost or if the colour of the coin is slightly different from the others (eg reddish), does it mean that the coin has been defectively minted?
Which way up the lettering is on the rim of the coin is completely irrelevant as far as the authenticity of the coin is concerned. It simply has to do with the production process. The lettering is stamped on the rim before the denomination and the motif are imprinted on the obverse and reverse of the coins. When the blank coins reach the stage of having the denomination and the motif stamped on them, the large number of coins involved and the industrial manufacturing process make it impossible to ensure that the blanks are all lying the same way round.
The manufacturing process itself and the manner in which the coins have been stored may lead to certain minor differences in the colour of the coins. However, this has no effect on the status of the coins as legal tender.
As coins are manufactured industrially, the coin colour may vary slightly owing to the method of manufacturing and to current storage practices. This does not, however, affect the status of the coins as legal tender.
Are there any plans to mint €5 coins?
In the mid-1990s a decision was taken at the European level to draw the dividing line between coins and banknotes at €2 as there seemed to be no reason for minting coins of a higher denomination. The main justification for this decision was that no European country had coins of a face value equivalent to €5 in circulation. It is therefore unlikely that €5 coins will be introduced
What are the technical specifications of the euro coins?
The following table gives an overview of the technical features of the euro coins, including information on diameter, thickness, weight, form, colour and rim design.
| feature | Diameter | Edge thickness | Weight | Shape | Colour | Rim design |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Cent | 16.25 mm | 1.67 mm | 2.30 g | Round | Red | Smooth |
| 2 Cent | 18.75 mm | 1.67 mm | 3.06 g | Round | Red | Smooth with a grove |
| 5 Cent | 21.25 mm | 1.67 mm | 3.92 g | Round | Red | Smooth |
| 10 Cent | 19.75 mm | 1.93 mm | 4.10 g | Round | Yellow | Fine scallops |
| 20 Cent | 22.25 mm | 2.14 mm | 5.74 g | Round with seven grooves (Spanish flower shape) | Yellow | Smooth |
| 50 Cent | 24.25 mm | 2.38 mm | 7.80 g | Round | Yellow | Fine scallops |
| 1 Euro | 23.25 mm | 2.33mm | 7.50 g | Round | Outside yellow; inside white | Interrupted milled |
| 2 Euro | 25.75 mm | 2.20mm | 8.50 g | Round | Outside white; inside yellow | Lettering (varies from country to country), fine milled |
Below you will find additional information on the composition of euro coins.
- €2: outer ring - cupronickel; inner section (three layers) - nickel-brass, nickel, nickel-brass (slightly magnetic)
- 1€: outer ring - nickel-nickel, inner section (three layers) - cupronickel, nickel, cupronickel (slightly magnetic)
- 50 cent: copper, aluminium, zinc, tin alloy = "Nordic gold" (non-magnetic)
- 20 cent: copper, aluminium, zinc, tin alloy = "Nordic gold" (non-magnetic)
- 10 cent: copper, aluminium, zinc, tin alloy = "Nordic gold" (non-magnetic)
- 5 cent: copper-coated steel (highly magnetic)
- 2 cent: copper-coated steel (highly magnetic)
- 1 cent: copper-coated steel (highly magnetic)
There is a symbol in the lower right-hand quarter of the obverse side of all euro coins that resembles the figure "4". What does it stand for?
The symbol that is often taken for a "4" is actually two overlapping "Ls". The designer of the common side of the euro coins, Luc Luycx of the Royal Belgian Mint, was allowed to incorporate his monogram into the selected designs. This is what can be seen in the lower part of each obverse side.
Who chooses the design of the euro coins? Can the individual member states change the motifs on the "national" reverse sides of the coins at any time, for example in the event of the death or abdication of the monarch depicted on the coins?
Decisions regarding the motifs on the national sides of the coins remain the responsibility of the appropriate bodies in the respective countries as coinage continues to be a matter of national sovereignty. The reverse sides of the coins can therefore be changed at any time at the discretion of the national authorities. Even so, these changes are to be made public in accordance with national provisions and published in Official Journal of the European Communities. There are no other formalities.
The common obverse side of the euro coins will be modified from 2007 onwards to accommodate the new member states.
In Germany the designs of the national side of the coins were chosen at the beginning of July 1997. Generally speaking, a commission under the auspices of the Federal Ministry for Regional Planning, Building and Urban Development is responsible for selecting the designs of German coins. The commission also did the preparatory work involved in deciding what should feature on the national sides of the euro coins. The Federal Cabinet approved the selected designs on 17 September 1997.
The national reverse sides were designed by Professor Rolf Lederbogen (oak twig), Reinhart Heinsdorff (Brandenburg Gate) and H and S Russewa-Hoyer (federal eagle).
Why did Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican also introduce euro coins with their own national reverse sides?
In addition to the 16 primary participants in monetary union, the small states of Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican were give the right to mint and issue specific quantities of euro coins with their own national sides.
Owing to the existing monetary relationships and close integration of these countries with France and Italy, special agreements were concluded. Agreements with other countries are not planned. Nonetheless, euro coins are also being used as payment media in other countries without legal agreements (eg Andorra, Kosovo and Montenegro).
In line with their quotas vis-à-vis the Italian and French mint volumes, the three small states issued the following initial amounts.
| Country | € 2.00 | € 1.00 | € 0.50 | € 0.20 | € 0.10 | € 0.05 | € 0.02 | € 0.01 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| figures in thousands | ||||||||
| Monaco | 913 | 979 | 303 | 369 | 310 | 310 | 376 | 330 |
| San Marino | 256 | 361 | 230 | 302 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Vatican | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
Regular issue coins: means of payment
Does the Bundesbank sort the euro coins according to the national motifs and return the coins to the countries of issue?
As the euro coins are legal tender in all euro-area countries, returning them to the country of issue is unnecessary, and there are no plans to do so.
There used to be a ruling which restricted the number of coins that could be tendered in any one payment transaction. Does a similar ruling apply to euro coins?
Council Regulation (EC) No 974/98 of 3 May 1998 on the introduction of the euro stipulates that within the euro area no party other than the issuing authority and persons specifically named in national legislation is obliged to accept more than 50 coins in any single payment transaction. The regulation does not specify a value.
The Coinage Act (Münzgesetz) of 16 December 1999, which was last amended by Article 33 of the Act on 8 May 2008 (Münzgesetz 2008), supplements this provision with respect to German euro commemorative coins and defines the persons to be named (section 3 (1) and (2) of the Coinage Act of 2008). The obligation to accept German commemorative coins denominated in euro is limited to €200 per payment. In addition, the acceptance limit of a maximum of 50 coins also applies where a single payment is made in both ordinary euro coins and German commemorative coins (section 3 (1)). In section 3 (2) the Bundesbank is required to accept as payment media an unlimited number of euro coins and German euro-denominated commemorative coins, regardless of the sum concerned, or to exchange these coins for other legal tender.
Special technical requirements apply to deposits of euro coins by commercial customers at the Deutsche Bundesbank. These are laid down in the “Guidelines for the packaging of coin rolls in foil packs” (in German only). The guidelines and additional information can be found here.
Commemorative coins: purchasing
What is the easiest way to obtain collector’s euro coins?
The Bundesbank's task is to put a sufficient amount of payment media into circulation. It does not take part in the trading of coins and does not maintain stocks of coins with specific mintmarks and mint years for the purposes of supplying collectors and other interested parties . For this purpose a special outlet (see below) was set up by the Federal Ministry of Finance in Weiden:
The above-mentioned agency sells euro commemorative coins with a proof finish and German euro coin series (1 cent to €2) with a normal finish and a proof finish. Starter kits and other member countries' coin series in circulation are not included in the range of coins available. To obtain such coins please contact the national monetary authority concerned or a commercial coin dealer. You can find the address at www.ecb.int.
For my coin collection, I am looking for the starter kits of all the countries which have introduced the euro. Where can I obtain them?
The starter kits were distributed by the national monetary authorities of the respective countries. However, it is likely that the starter kits of all of the participating member states can now be obtained only from commerical coin dealers.
Are there special euro coins similar to the former commemorative coins? Where will I be able to get them?
At the moment, the plan is to issue five to six different commemorative €10 coins in sterling silver (925/1000) every year. Each of these coins is obtainable in two different finishes. The standard-finish coins (mint condition) can be purchased at the Bundesbank's branches and at banks interested in selling them. Commercial coin dealers will also stock these coins.
Both the banks and the coin dealers have the right to charge a commission for selling these coins. They are sold at their face value at the Bundesbank's branches.
Subscribers can obtain coins with a proof finish from the Sales Agency for Collector's Coins in Weiden at a price of €15 each.
Commemorative coins: means of payment
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- There used to be a ruling which restricted the number of coins that could be tendered in any one payment transaction. Does a similar ruling apply to euro coins?
- Are the €10 commemorative coins also legal tender in all participating countries?
- Where are these German €2 commemorative coins accepted as legal tender?
Are the €10 commemorative coins also legal tender in all participating countries?
With the exception of the €2 commemorative coins, commemorative coins are legal tender only in the country of issue. Thus, German €10 commemorative coins are legal tender only in Germany.
Where are these German €2 commemorative coins accepted as legal tender?
The €2 commemorative coins of all of the member states are also accepted as legal tender in all member states, in contrast to the €10 commerorative coins, which are accepted as legal tender only in the member state in which the coin was issued.
Commemorative coins: €2 commemorative coins
Which €2 commemorative coins have been issued in Germany?
In line with European agreements, the German government has decided to mint an additional €2 commemorative coin each year with a different national motif on the reverse side.
The coin series marking the federal states consists of a total of 16 different €2 coins, each one bearing a unique symbol or building specific to the respective state. A new coin is minted each year for each of the federal states in turn in the order of rotation of the Bundesrat presidency (the Upper House of the German parliament representing the federal states).
Furthermore, all euro-area countries issued two coins, each with a common motif – one to commemorate “50 Years of the Treaty of Rome” on 25 March 2007 and the other to mark “10 Years of Economic and Monetary Union” on 1 January 2009.
- Overview of the €2 commemorative coins that have been minted or are scheduled to be minted in the Federal Republic of Germany (German only)
Regarding availability, it should be noted that, despite bearing a commemorative theme, these €2 commemorative coins are regular issue coins. Unlike the €10 commemorative coins, where the entire run is minted by the date of issue and coins are available at all Bundesbank branches, regular issue coins are generally minted progressively and brought into circulation as and when required.
Where can I acquire the €2 commemorative coins?
The coins will be brought into circulation in the same way as regular issue coins.
A coin set containing the €2 commemorative coins from the federal state coin series from all five mints can also be obtained from the German Sales Agency for Collector's Coins (www.deutsche-sammlermuenzen.de). These coin sets also contain additional information about the respective federal state and the corresponding motif. The coins are available for purchase in both mint condition and proof-like finish.
The €2 commemorative coins are also contained in the regular issue coin sets.
In addition to the standard €2 regular issue coins depicting the federal eagle on the national side, the regular issue coin sets 2006 and 2008 contain the €2 commemorative coin of the federal state for that particular year. The 2007 coin set contains the €2 commemorative coin which was issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome as well as the €2 commemorative coin for the federal state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania with Schwerin Castle as its motif on the reverse side. The 2009 set contains a €2 commemorative coin with the motif “Saarland – Ludwig Church” and a €2 coin to mark the tenth anniversary of Economic and Monetary Union.
The regular issue coin sets of all five German mints can be obtained from the German Sales Agency for Collector’s Coins (www.deutsche-sammlermuenzen.de) in both mint condition and proof-like finish.
Have other member states also minted €2 commemorative coins?
You can find a current list of all of the €2 commemorative coins that have been issued by all of the member states on the website of the European Centralbank.
Commemorative coins: €10 silver commemorative coins
Is there a list of €10 commemorative coins that have been minted or are scheduled to be minted in Germany ?
Yes. The file below contains a list of €10 commemorative coins that have been minted or are scheduled to be minted in the Federal Republic of Germany.
- List of €10 commemorative coins (German only)
Images and descriptions of the €10 commemorative coins can be found at the website of the German Sales Agency for Collectors' Coins.
What €10 coins will be issued to commemorate the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany?
A €10 coin to commemorate the “2006 FIFA World Cup Germany” was issued each year between 2003 and 2006. These commemorative coins were minted in equal quantities in mint condition as well as a proof-like finish by all five German mints. Details of all the editions can be found in the accompanying table. The euro commemorative coin weighs 18g and consists of a maximum of .925 sterling silver.
- List of €10 commemorative coins (German only)
Images and descriptions of the €10 coins commemorating the “2006 FIFA World Cup Germany”can be found at the website of the German Sales Agency for Collectors' Coins.
What kind of commemorative coin will be issued to mark the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin?
On 9 April 2009, a €10 commemorative coin will be issued to mark the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin. The coin will be minted both in mint condition as well as with a proof-like finish by all five mints. The €10 commemorative coin weighs 18 g, has a diameter of 32.5 mm and is made of 925 sterling silver. 1.69 million coins will be issued in mint condition and 200,000 with a proof-like finish.
- List of €10 commemorative coins (German only)
Commemorative coins: €200, €100 and €20 gold coins
Which euro-denominated gold coins have been issued in Germany so far and which motifs are in the pipeline?
On the occasion of the introduction of euro banknotes and coins, the Federal Government issued euro gold coins (gold proportion: 999.9/1000) that weighed ½ ounce (nominal value: €100) and 1 ounce (nominal value: €200). The number of €100 gold coins minted amounted to 500,000 (100,000 coins for each mint A, D, F, G and J) while the number of €200 gold coins amounted to 100,000. The coins were put into circulation on 9 May 2002.
In 2003, the Federal Ministry of Finance launched a series of €100 gold coins commemorating the “UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in Germany”, which was to run for several years. These coins are made of fine gold (999.9 Au) and each weigh 15.55 grams (1/2 ounce).
Images and descriptions of the gold coins can be found at the website of the German Sales Agency for Collectors' Coins.
- Overview of gold coins (German only)
Branches of the Bundesbank have not been involved in the issuing of euro coins, which means that euro gold coins in Germany cannot be obtained from the Bundesbank. Please contact the German Sales Agency for Collector's Coins for further information on this issue. The coins are issued using a separate purchasing procedure.
What € 100 gold coin will be issued to commemorate the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany?
On 30 September 2005, the sale price for the € 100 gold coin “2006 FIFA World Cup Germany” was set at €222 plus postage and packing.
All other agencies, such as banks, savings banks and commercial coin dealers, which also participate in the distribution of these coins, were able to impose a higher surcharge.
The coins were issued by the German Sales Agency for Collector's Coins. Euro gold coins could also be purchased there.
- Overview of gold coins (German only)
What 20 gold euro coins are in planning in Germany and with what motifs?
From 2010 the Federal Ministry of Finance has planned for a series of 20 gold euro coins over a period of several years on the theme of the “German forest”. The series is to consist of six motifs, which are expected to be issued from 2010 to 2015, beginning with the “Oak”. The coins will each be composed of fine gold (999.9 Au), will weigh 3.8879 grams (1/8 of an ounce) and have a diameter of 17.5 mm.
- Overview of gold coins (German only)
The coins will be put into circulation by the Official Sales Agency for Collector's Coins of the Federal Republic of Germany, from which gold euro coins can be obtained in a special ordering procedure.
