National sides

Belgium's euro coins were designed by Jan Alfons Keustermans, Director of the Municipal Academy of Fine Arts of Turnhout. There are two series of coins in circulation. Both are valid. The more recent design, shown here, shows King Albert II, the royal monogram and the year of issuance in the inner part of the coin.

1, 2 and 5-cent coins: the oak twig, reminiscent of that found on the former German pfennig coins, provides the motif for these coins. It was designed by Professor Rolf Lederbogen.

(since 1 January 2011)

The design for the national side of Estonia’s coins is the same for all denominations. It features a geographical image of Estonia and the word “Eesti”, which means “Estonia”.

The Government of Ireland decided on a single national design for all Irish coin denominations. They show the Celtic harp, a traditional symbol of Ireland, decorated with the year of issue and the inscription “Éire” − the Irish word for Ireland. The harp shown was designed by Jarlath Hayes.

This coin shows a modern sea-going tanker, reflecting the innovative spirit of Greek shipping.

1, 2 and 5-cent coins: the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a jewel of Spanish Romanesque architecture and one of the most famous pilgrimage destinations in the world, is pictured on these coins. They show the monumental facade of the Obradoiro, a splendid example of Spanish baroque construction, started in 1667 by Jose del Toro and Domingo de Andrade. It was finished in the 18th century by Fernando Casas y Novoa.

1, 2 and 5-cent coins: these depict a young, feminine Marianne with determined features that embody the desire for a sound and lasting Europe. The design was the work of Fabienne Courtiade, an engraver from the Paris Mint.

This design features the Flavius amphitheatre, which Emperor Vespasian began building around 75 AD and Emperor Titus inaugurated in 80 AD.

The 1, 2 and 5-cent coins show the moufflon, a species of wild sheep found on Cyprus and representative of the island’s wildlife.

Yvette Gastauer-Claire designed the coins by agreement with the Royal Household and the Luxembourg Government. All the Luxembourg coins bear the profile of His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri. They also bear the year of issue and the word “Luxembourg” written in Luxembourgish (“Lëtzebuerg”).

The 1, 2 and 5-cent coins depict the altar at the prehistoric temple complex of Mnajdra, built around 3600 BC on a low elevation overlooking the sea.

1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50-cent coins: Queen Beatrix is shown in profile encircled by the inscription “Beatrix Queen of The Netherlands” in Dutch.

This coin features alpine primroses, as part of a floral series, symbolising a duty to the environment and the part Austria is playing in the development of a Community environmental policy.

1, 2 and 5-cent coins: these show the first royal seal, from 1134, along with the inscription “Portugal”.

This coin depicts a sower.

(since 1 January 2009)

The 1, 2 and 5 cent coins feature the Tatra Mountains’ peak, Kriváň, a symbol of the sovereignty of the Slovak nation, and the national emblem of Slovakia.

1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50-cent coins: these show the Finnish heraldic lion in a reproduction of a design by the sculptor Heikki Häiväoja. The heraldic lion in a variety of designs has been used on several Finnish coins over the years, for example on the 1 markka coins between 1964 and 2001.

The coat of arms of the Sovereign Princes of Monaco is the main feature of the design on the 1, 2 and 5-cent coins.

The 1, 2 and 5-cent coins show the Third Tower (Montale), the Statue of Liberty and the First Tower (Guaita) respectively.

 The third series, issued in April 2006, shows His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and the legend “CITTÀ DEL VATICANO”. To the right of his portrait are the year (“2006”) and the mint mark (“R”). To the left are the designer’s initials (“DL”).