March 13, 2010, 19:12 CET
€2 Commemorative coins Germany
The €2 “Schleswig-Holstein” commemorative coin is the first in the “Federal States” series, which will consist of 16 coins, each bearing a unique landmark or building specific to the commemorated federal state. A new coin is minted each year for each of the federal states, in order of the rotating presidency of the Bundesrat (the upper house of the German parliament representing the federal states). Regarding availability, it should be noted that, despite bearing a commemorative theme, these coins are intended for use as circulating legal tender.
Further information
Further information of the above coins can be found on frequently asked questions.
Images and detailed descriptions of all €2 euro commemorative coins in order of year of issue can be viewed on the European Central Bank’s website.
Images and detailed descriptions
2006 - Schleswig Holstein
Reason
for issue
The Federal Republic of Germany’s series of €2 commemorative coins is designed to increase the European public’s awareness of Germany’s federal structure. The coins will be issued in the order of rotation of the Bundesrat presidency (the Upper House of the German parliament representing the federal states) and will begin with Schleswig-Holstein in 2006.- Description
The national side of the commemorative coin depicts the Holstentor (the famous city gate in Lübeck); the intricate details give the coin an aesthetic appeal, which is in perfect keeping with the outer ring. The words “Schleswig Holstein” link the Holstentor as the depicted construction with the federal state. The outer ring of the coin features the 12 stars of the EU, the year of issue 2006 and the issuing country “BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND” (Federal Republic of Germany) as well as the name of the mint producing the coin. As on current €2 coins, the inscription “EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT” (unity, justice and freedom) is embossed on the coin edge. The new national side has been designed by Heinz Hoyer, Berlin. The €2 commemorative coin has the same technical parameters as the €2 coin in circulation. It was minted in equal quantities in both mint condition and proof-like finish by all five German mints. - Issuing volume
The maximum volume of these €2 commemorative coins to be issued will be 30 million. - Issuing date
3 February 2006
2007 - Mecklenburg-West Pomerania
Reason for issue
The €2 commemorative coin series of the Federal Republic of Germany is designed to communicate a clearer idea of Germany’s federal structure to a European general public. The coins will be issued in the same sequence as the annual rotation of the presidency in the Bundesrat (upper house of parliament in which the 16 federal states are represented). In 2007, the presidency will be exercised by Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.- Description
The national side of the commemorative coin shows Schwerin Castle. The appealing design is characterised by its high artistic quality, coherent concept and finely detailed execution. The design shows the castle’s architectural multiplicity as seen from the city. This view is the one that most impresses tourists. The castle is instantly recognisable from the coin’s design.
The visual representation of the water and bridge highlights the castle’s insular setting. The typical quay walls and balustrades are depicted realistically. The park surrounding the castle, the Burggarten, is hinted at by the line of trees on either side. The coin succinctly captures the architectural ensemble, with its formal variety and plasticity, its starkly articulated façade and its fascinating landscape of roofs and turrets.
The seat of the regional parliament (Landtag) of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, which is also a landmark and symbol of the federal state capital, is vividly and realistically depicted in the coin design.
The design, together with the highly expressive inscription “Mecklenburg-Vorpommern” (Mecklenburg-West Pomerania), poignantly symbolises why the federal state, with its compelling combination of nature, history, art and modernity. is such a magnet for visitors. The design of the new national side is by Heinz Hoyer of Berlin.
The €2 commemorative coin has the same technical parameters as the €2 coin currently in circulation. They were minted in equal quantities in both mint condition and proof-like finish by all five German mints. - Issue volume
30 million - Issue date
2 February 2007
2007 - 50 th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome
Reason for issue
This coin is a European Community issue that will be issued by all 13 euro-area countries (including Slovenia).- Description
The national side of the €2 “50 th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome” commemorative coin shows the Treaty document with the signatures of the six founding members on a background evoking the star-shaped paving of the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome, which was designed by Michelangelo. The coin is to be inscribed with the reason for issue, the country of issue in the language of that country as well as the year 2007. The prototype is the result of a collective effort by the Spanish, Italian and Austrian mints. For the first time, the reverse side of the coin shows a map of Europe without any national borders, reflecting the latest EU expansion. As on current German €2 commemorative coins, the inscription “EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT” (unity, justice and freedom) is embossed on the coin edge. The €2 commemorative coin is made of bimetal, just like the €2 coins that have been put into circulation so far. Both the weight and the diameter of the coins are identical to the €2 coins currently in circulation. They were minted in equal quantities in both mint condition and proof-like finish by all five German mints. - Issue volume
30 million (in Germany) - Issue date
25 March 2007
2008 - Hamburg
Reason for issue
The €2 commemorative coin series of the Federal Republic of Germany is designed to communicate a clearer idea of Germany’s federal structure to a European general public. The coins will be issued in the same sequence as the annual rotation of the presidency in the Bundesrat (upper house of parliament in which the 16 federal states are represented). In 2008, the presidency will be exercised by Hamburg.- Description
The national side of the commemorative coin shows the Michaeliskirche (Church of St. Michael) from the south in an engagingly detailed and elegant form. The ideal proportions of the baroque church are depicted like an architect's blueprint with total accuracy and are set in taut counterpoint against the round of the mint design. The new national side has been designed by Erich Ott of Munich. The €2 commemorative coin has the same technical parameters as the €2 coin in circulation. They were minted in equal quantities in both mint condition and proof-like finish by all five German mints. - Issue volume
30 million - Issue date
1 February 2008
2009 - 10th anniversary of Economic and Monetary Union
Reason
for issue
Tenth anniversary of the launch of European economic and monetary union (Emu).- Description
The coin commemorates the evolution of trade relationships, ranging from prehistoric bartering (indicated by the intentionally “primitive” design of the motif) to the single currency of the economic and monetary union as the final stage in Europe’s long history of trade and economic integration. The general public in the euro area voted on the coin motif in an online survey. It was designed by Georgios Stamatopoulos, who works as a sculptor at the Bank of Greece.
This coin is being issued by all the countries of the euro area. The only difference is on the national side of the coin in the individual euro-area member states, which bears an inscription in the respective national language. Like all German €2 coins, the edge of the coin issued by Germany bears the embossed inscription “EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT” (Unity and Justice and Freedom) as well as a stylised Federal eagle. They were minted in equal quantities in both mint condition and proof-like finish by all five German mints.
- Issue volume
30 million (in Germany)
- Issue date
1 January 2009 (available from 5 January)
2009 - Saarland
Reason for issue
The €2 commemorative coin series of the Federal Republic of Germany is designed to communicate a clearer idea of Germany’s federal structure to a European general public. The coins will be issued in the same sequence as the annual rotation of the presidency in the Bundesrat (upper house of parliament in which the 16 federal states are represented). In 2009, the presidency will be exercised by Saarland.- Description
The national side of the commemorative church shows the Ludwigskirche. The design shows the familiar and striking east facade of the church with the top of the bell tower. The perspective and form chosen by the artist vividly highlight the church’s wide-bodied baroque ground plan and the offset transept. The baroque filigree work with the balustrade, the clock on the bell tower and flying angels is depicted, while decorative details have been sacrificed in favour of the overall impression. The new national side has been designed by Friedrich Brenner of Diedorf.
The €2 commemorative coin has the same technical parameters as the €2 coin in circulation. It was minted in equal quantities in both mint condition and proof-like finish by all five German mints. - Issue volume
30 million - Issue date
6 February 2009
2010 - Bremen
Reason for issue:
The €2 commemorative coin series of the Federal Republic of Germany is designed to communicate a clearer idea of Germany’s federal structure to a European general public. The coins will be issued in the same sequence as the annual rotation of the presidency in the Bundesrat (upper house of parliament in which the 16 federal states are represented). In 2010, the presidency will be exercised by Bremen.
- The national side shows Bremen town hall with the statue of Roland, which together symbolise the Republican history and tradition of Bremen. The coin portrays a true-to-life depiction of the Weser Renaissance facade of the old town hall in the background and, in the foreground, an enlarged image of the Roland statue. The word “BREMEN” links the town hall and the Roland statue with the federal state. The outer ring features the European stars, the year of issue 2010 and the letter “D” indicating that the country of issue is the Federal Republic of Germany.
The mark of the mint producing the coin has been incorporated unobtrusively in the main part of the coin. The artist’s initials can be found in the lower section of the coin (below the Roland statue).
- The national side has been designed by Bodo Broschat of Berlin.
The materials used, technical parameters and design of the European side of the €2 commemorative coin are identical to the current regular issue €2 coin. - Issue volume
30 million - Issue date
29 January 2010
