February 4, 2012, 04:26 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 value do coins minted in a particular year and mint error coins 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?
- How were the motifs for the reverse sides of German euro coins selected?
- Why did Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican also introduce euro coins with their own national reverse sides?
What value do coins minted in a particular year and mint error coins have?
The Bundesbank is entrusted with the task of ensuring that sufficient cash is available for the execution of payments. It is not involved in the business of trading coins and therefore cannot provide any information regarding their collector’s value.
Various coin catalogues containing information on DM coins can be accessed in libraries or purchased from booksellers.
These kinds of resources do not yet exist for suspected mint error euro coins. Such coins can, of course, be exchanged at their nominal value at all Bundesbank branches.
Where are the German euro coins minted?
Just like DM coins in the past, German euro coins are produced in Germany’s five mints. The coins can be distinguished by their mint mark (A for Berlin, D for Munich, F for Stuttgart, G for Karlsruhe and J for Hamburg). The distribution of the entire mint volume is determined by a flat-rate quota.
Further details can be found in the "Euro-Münzen" brochure (available in German only).
Which mints are responsible for producing the euro coins of the individual member states?
Due to the fact that Germany is the only euro-area country which has several mints, the coins of other countries can usually be traced back to their mints by looking at their reverse, or “national” side. Some countries, however, have their euro coins minted in other countries. Luxemburg’s euro coins, for example, are minted in the Netherlands, Slovenia and Cyprus have their coins minted in Finland and French mints produce coins for Malta. The small states Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City State, which have signed agreements with the EU entitling them to issue euro coins, have had their euro coins minted in France and Italy.
Futher information can be found in the brochure on euro coins "Euro-Münzen" (in German only)
| Country | Mint | Mintmark | First year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Brussels | None | 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| Estonia (2011) | Helsinki | None | 2011 |
| Germany | Berlin | A | 2002 |
| Germany | Munich | D | 2002 |
| Germany | Stuttgart | F | 2002 |
| Germany | Karlsruhe | G | 2002 |
| Germany | Hamburg | J | 2002 |
| Finland | Helsinki | 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 | 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 |
| Estonia (2011) | 11 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 32 |
| 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 | 2,790 | 4,935 | 5,.910 | 6,.416 | 8,389 | 7,960 | 7,.591 | 9,231 |
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 the cut-off between regular issue coins and banknotes was set between €2 and €5 at a European level, as there seemed to be no reason to mint coins for denominations above €2. This is mainly because no regular issue coins with such a high nominal value were used in any European country. There are therefore no plans to introduce €5 regular issue coins at present or in the foreseeable future.
What are the technical specifications of the euro coins?
The table below provides an overview of the technical characteristics of euro coins with information regarding the diameter, thickness, weight, shape, colour and edge inscriptions of the coins.
| Denomination | Diameter | Edge thickness (benchmark) | Weight | Shape | Colour | Edge 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 with 7 grooves |
| 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 often mistaken for the number '4' is actually two letter 'Ls' intertwined. Luc Luycx, an employee at the Royal Belgian Mint who designed the euro coins’ common face, was permitted to work his initials into the chosen design by adding this symbol to the bottom right-hand quarter of their front side.
How were the motifs for the reverse sides of German euro coins selected?
The decision in Germany regarding the design of the reverse sides was made at the beginning of July 1997. In line with the decision made at European level, a jury comprising representatives of various ministries, mint directors, sculptors, historians and museum directors agreed to separate the coins into the following three groups.
- €1 and €2
- 10, 20 and 50 cents
- 1, 2 and 5 cents
It was decided that each group would have a common motif. With regard to the content, the jury selected symbols which, in their own way, would all be recognised as typically German by Germans and non-Germans alike. The following motifs were thus suggested:
- The eagle, a traditional German national emblem, was suggested for the €1 and €2 coins
- The symbolic Brandenburg Gate was suggested for the coin denominations 10, 20 and 50 cents
- An oak twig was suggested for the dominations 1,2 and 5 cents because it was reminiscent of the earlier pfennig coins.
The Federal Government approved this proposal in its decision dated 17 September 1997. The reverse sides of the German euro coins were designed by Sneschana Russewa-Hoyer and Heinz Hoyer (the German eagle), Reinhart Heinsdorff (the Brandenburg Gate) and Professor Rolf Lederbogen (the oak twig).
The common front side of the euro coins was modified in 2007 in accordance with a decision made by the European Council to reflect the accession of additional countries to the euro area.
Why did Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican also introduce euro coins with their own national reverse sides?
As well as the 17 countries belonging to the euro area, the small states Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City State were given the right to mint and issue fixed contingents of euro coins with their own national reverse sides.
Special agreements were reached with these countries because of their previous exchange rate regimes and close financial ties with France and Italy. Agreements with other countries are not envisaged. Based on the volumes minted by Italy and France, the three small countries minted the following initial supply volumes (amount in thousands of coins).
| 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?
Given that regular issue euro coins are legal tender in all euro-area countries, it is neither obligatory nor necessary to transport coins back to issuing countries.
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 engage 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 . A special outlet (see below) was set up for this suppose 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 the participating member states can now be obtained only from commercial coin dealers.
Are there special euro coins similar to the former commemorative coins? Where will I be able to get them?
For the time being, there are plans to issue five to six different commemorative €10 coins per year, each in two different finishes. The coins in the standard finish (mint condition) can be purchased at all Bundesbank's branchesand interested banks. Moreover, a contingent will be passed on to commercial coin dealers.
Banks and commercial coin dealers are entitled to charge an additional fee for the coins when they are issued. At Bundesbank branches, they can be purchased for their nominal value.
The proof-like finish is available by subscription from the GermanSales
Agency for Collector's Coins (Verkaufsstelle für Sammlermünzen) in Weiden.
Commemorative coins: means of payment
Are there regulations which restrict the number of coins that have to be accepted in a single payment?
Council Regulation (EC) No 974/98 on the introduction of the euro stipulates that in the euro area, except for the issuing authority and for those persons specifically designated by the national legislation of the issuing member state, no party shall be obliged to accept more than 50 coins in any single payment.
The Coinage Act (Münzgesetz) supplements this provision with respect to German commemorative euro coins (section 3 (1) and (2) of the Coinage Act). The obligation to accept German euro-denominated commemorative coins is limited to €200 per payment. In addition, the acceptance limit of a maximum of 50 coins also applies to single payments made using both regular issue and commemorative coins (section 3 (1)). In section 3 (2), the Bundesbank is required to accept as a means of payment an unlimited number of euro coins and German euro-denominated commemorative coins, regardless of their total value, or to exchange these coins for other 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 circulating commemorative coins are legal tender in all euro-area countries, unlike the commemorative euro coins, which are more valuable and are legal tender only in the member state where they were issued.
Commemorative coins: €2 commemorative coins
Which €2 commemorative coins have been issued in Germany?
In accordance with European agreements, the Federal Government of Germany decided to have an additional €2 circulating coin minted each year with a different national motif on the reverse side.
The federal state coin series, which consists of a total of 16 different €2 coins, each bearing a unique symbol or building specific to the respective state, was inspired by the rotating presidency of the Bundesrat.
Moreover, on 25 March 2007 all of the euro-area countries issued a coin to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and on 1 January 2009 they issued a coin to celebrate the 10th anniversary of European Economic and Monetary Union, each with a common motif. Aside from this, at the initiative of the European Commission a €2 circulating commemorative coin with a common motif is to be issued in January 2012 in all euro-area countries to mark the 10th anniversary of the introduction of euro cash. Against this backdrop, the Federal Government of Germany decided to have a €2 coin celebrating '10 years of euro cash’ minted. This coin will be in circulation from 2 January 2012.
- Orders planned or submitted by the Federal Ministry of Finance for the minting of €2 commemorative coins (German only)
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 one €2 circulating commemorative coin from the federal state coin series produced in each of the five German mints can also be obtained from the German Sales Agency for Collector’s Coins (www.deutsche-sammlermuenzen.de). These coin sets also contain information about the respective federal state and the corresponding motif. The coin sets can be purchased in both mint condition and a proof-like finish.
In addition, the €2 circulating commemorative coins are also included in the regular issue coin sets.
In addition to the standard €2 regular issue coins depicting the German eagle on the national side, the regular issue coin sets for 2006 and 2008 also contain the €2 circulating commemorative coins from the federal state series for that particular year. The 2007 coin set contains both the €2 coin issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome and the €2 coin bearing the motif for the federal state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Schloss Schwerin. The 2009 coin set contains the €2 coin marking ten years of Economic and Monetary Union as well as the €2 commemorative coin bearing the motif for Saarland, the Ludwigskirche.
Do other member states have 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 Central Bank.
Commemorative coins: €10 silver commemorative coins
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- What are the €10 commemorative coins made of?
- Is there a list of €10 commemorative coins that have been minted or are scheduled to be minted in Germany?
- What €10 coins were issued to commemorate the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany?
- What kind of commemorative coin was issued to mark the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin?
What are the €10 euro commemorative coins made of?
All €10 commemorative coins minted in Germany up to the end of 2010 are made of sterling silver (92.5% silver and 7.5% copper).
In October 2010 the Federal Ministry of Finance, the body with responsibility for coinage in Germany, decided due to the increasing price of silver to reduce the silver content of €10 commemorative coins beginning from the year of issue 2011 from 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper (sterling silver) to 62.5% silver and 37.5% copper. This applied to commemorative coins in both the standard finish and the more valuable proof-like finish.
In April 2001, given the ongoing increase in the price of silver, the Federal Ministry of Finance decided that, beginning with the €10 commemorative coin marking the 125th anniversary of the automobile, the standard finish coins would be made of a cupronickel alloy (CuNi25). The coins in the more valuable proof-like finish are still minted in an alloy comprising 62.5% silver and 37.5% copper. In order to distinguish between the two finishes, the silver content of the coins with a proof-like finish is stated on the reverse side (‘silver 625').
Is there a list of €10 commemorative coins that have been minted or are scheduled to be minted in Germany ?
Yes. The files below contain a list of €10 commemorative coins that have been minted or are scheduled to be minted in the Federal Republic of Germany.
- €10 commemorative coins (2002 - 2010) (German only)
- €10 commemorative coins (as off 2011) (German only)
Images and descriptions of the €10 commemorative coins can be found at the website of the German Sales Agency for Collector's Coins.
What €10 coins were issued to commemorate the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany?
One €10 coin to celebrate the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany was issued each year between 2003 and 2006. Each of these commemorative coins was minted in equal quantities by all five German mints in both mint condition and a proof-like finish. The files below show the number of these coins produced each year by the five mints. The €10 commemorative coin to celebrate the FIFA World Cup weighs 18g, has a diameter of 32.5mm and is made of 92.5% sterling silver.
Images and descriptions of the €10 commemorative coins for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany can be found on the website of the German Sales Agency for Collectors' Coins.
The files below contain an overview of the €10 commemorative coins that have been minted or are scheduled to be minted in Germany.
- €10 commemorative coins (2002 - 2010) (German only)
- €10 commemorative coins (as off 2011) (German only)
What kind of commemorative coin was issued to mark the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin?
On 9 April 2009, a €10 commemorative coin was issued to mark the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin. The coin was minted both in mint condition as well as with a proof-like finish by all five mints. The €10 commemorative coin to mark the IAAF World Championships in Athletics weighs 18g, has a diameter of 32.5 mm and is made of 92.5% sterling silver. 1.69 million coins were issued in mint condition and 200,000 with a proof-like finish.
Images and descriptions of the €10 commemorative coin for the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin can be found on the website of the German Sales Agency for Collectors' Coins.
The files below contain an overview of the €10 commemorative coins that have been minted or are scheduled to be minted in the Federal Republic of Germany.
- €10 commemorative coins (2001 – 2010)
- €10 commemorative coins (2002 - 2010) (German only)
- €10 commemorative coins (as off 2011) (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?
To mark the introduction of euro cash, the German government had gold euro coins (99.99% pure gold) weighing half an ounce (nominal value €100) and 1 ounce (nominal value €200) minted. 500,000 €100 coins were minted (100,000 coins for each of the mints A, D, F, G and J); 100,000 €200 coins were produced (20,000 coins per mint). The coins were brought into circulation on 9 May 2002.
From 2003, over a period of several years, the German Federal Ministry of Finance issued a series of €100 gold coins on the theme of UNESCO world heritage sites in Germany. The coins are made of fine gold (99.99% Au) and weigh 15.55g (half an ounce).
Images and descriptions of the gold euro coins can be found on the website of the German Sales Agency for Collector's Coins.
The Deutsche Bundesbank played and plays no part in bringing gold euro coins into circulation in Germany; they therefore cannot be purchased from the Deutsche Bundesbank. More information can be obtained from the German Sales Agency for Collector's Coins. The coins are brought into circulation via a special ordering procedure.
The file below contains an overview of the gold coins that have been minted or are scheduled to be minted in the Federal Republic of Germany.
- Overview of gold coins (German only)
What € 100 gold coin was issued to commemorate the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany?
The German government issued a half-ounce €100 gold coin (99.99% pure gold, nominal value €100) to mark the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. 350,000 of these coins were minted (70,000 coins for each of the mints A, D, F, G and J). The coins were brought into circulation on 4 October 2005.
Images and descriptions of the €100 gold coin issued to mark the FIFA World Cup can be found on the website of the German Sales Agency for Collector's Coins.
These coins were brought into circulation by the German Sales Agency for Collector's Coins, from which they could also be purchased. The Deutsche Bundesbank played no part in bringing the coins into circulation.
The file below contains an overview of the gold coins that have been minted or are scheduled to be minted in the Federal Republic of Germany.
What €20 gold euro coins are in planning in Germany and with what motifs?
In 2010, the German Federal Ministry of Finance began to issue a series of €20 gold coins on the theme of “German forests”, which is set to span several years. The series will consist of six motifs, which are scheduled to be issued from 2010 to 2015. The first motif was “oak”, followed by “beech” in 2011. The planned motif for 2012 is “spruce”. The coins are made of fine gold (99.99% Au), weigh 3.8879g (⅛ ounce) and have a diameter of 17.5mm.
Images and descriptions of the gold euro coins can be found on the website of the German Sales Agency for Collector's Coin.
These coins are brought into circulation by the German Sales Agency for Collector's Coin, and can be purchased from this agency through a special ordering procedure. The Deutsche Bundesbank plays no part in bringing the coins into circulation.
The file below contains an overview of the gold coins that have been minted or are scheduled to be minted in the Federal Republic of Germany.
- Overview of gold coins (German only)
