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€2 commemorative coins - 2013

The descriptions on this page have been taken from the Official Journal of the European Union and may therefore deviate slightly from other material published on this website.

Netherlands

Feature: 200 years Kingdom of the Netherlands

Description: The inner part of the design shows a continuing ribbon that starts from the outside depicting the effigy of King Willem-Alexander and continues to depict the effigies of his six predecessors: Queen Beatrix, Queen Juliana, Queen Wilhelmina, King Willem III, King Willem II and King Willem I. The effigies are surrounded by the inscription ‘Willem-Alexander Koning der Nederlanden’ followed by the Royal Dutch mintmark, the mint master mark, the year 2013, the initials of the designer and at the left side of the effigies the inscription ‘200 jaar Koninkrijk der Nederlanden’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 3.5 million coins

Issuing date: November 2013

Finland

Feature: The 125th anniversary of the birth of Nobel Prize winning author F. E. SILLANPÄÄ

Description: The inner part of the coin depicts Sillanpää's portrait. At the top, in semi-circle, the words ‘F. E. SILLANPÄÄ’. At the left, the year ‘1888’ and the mint mark. At the right, the year ‘1964’, the indication of the issuing country ‘FI’ and the year of issuance ‘2013’. This is a special coin to commemorate the grandfather of a whole nation. F. E. SILLANPÄÄ was a master of style who brought deep insights about the relationship between people and nature into Finnish literature. He was awarded the Nobel prize in 1939 based in particular on the works Meek Heritage and The Maid Silja. This masterful author gained even more national renown with his popular radio appearances and memorable Christmas columns. After the war years, the master writer evolved into the long-bearded ‘Taata’, the unofficial grandfather to the country. From recollections of his childhood Christmases emerged a well-loved tradition: Grandpa gathered the whole nation devoutly around their radios with his easy-going Christmas ‘talks’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.5 million coins

Issuing date: November 2013

Malta

Feature: The Self-Government Constitution of 1921

Description:The design shows a map of the Maltese islands and a representation of the population. At the bottom of the design, the year ‘2013’. At the top, in semi-circle, the words ‘MALTA — Self-government 1921’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 500,000 coins

Issuing date: October 2013

Vatican City

Feature: 28th World Youth Day

Description: The design features the most known monument of Rio de Janeiro, the ‘Christ of Corcovado’, and some young people around the statue. At the top, in semi-circle, the inscription ‘XXVIII G.M.G. CITTÀ DEL VATICANO RIO 2013’. At the right, the mintmark ‘R’ and the name of the artist ‘P DANIELE’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 115,000 coins

Issuing date: October 2013

Greece

Feature: 100th anniversary of the union of Crete with Greece

Description:The inner part of the coin depicts Cretan rebels raising the Greek flag, a symbolic representation of Crete’s struggle for Union with Greece. On the upper side, in circular sense and with capital letters the name of the issuing country ‘Hellenic Republic’ in Greek. Underneath the words: ‘100 years of the union of Crete with Greece’ in Greek. On the right: ‘1913-2013’ and the monogram of the Greek Mint. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 750,000 coins

Issuing date: October 2013

Greece

Feature: 2 400th Anniversary of the founding of Plato’s Academy

Description:Portrait of Plato (in profile). On the left: the words ‘2 400 years since the founding of Plato’s Academy’ and ‘Hellenic Republic’ in ancient Greek lettering. On the right: ‘2013’ and the monogram of the Greek Mint. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 750,000 coins

Issuing date: October 2013

San Marino

Feature: 500th anniversary of the death of the Italian painter Pinturicchio

Description:In the foreground, the fresco ‘Christ among the doctors’; in the lower part, the inscription ‘SAN MARINO’ in semi-circle; to the left, the letter ‘R’, which is the Italian mint mark; below the fresco, the name of the author ‘MOMONI’; above the fresco, the inscription ‘PINTURICCHIO’ in semi-circle with the years ‘1513’ and ‘2013’ below it. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 115,000 coins

Issuing date: September 2013

Belgium

Feature: 100th anniversary of the creation of the Royal Meteorological Institute (Koninklijk Meteorologisch Instituut/Institut Royal Météorologique)

Description:The obverse of the coin displays in its centre the number 100 with the first zero encircling the abbreviations ‘KMI’ and ‘IRM’ and the second zero representing a sun. Isobars, raindrops and snowflakes are depicted to the left of the sun. The year ‘2013’ is displayed in the upper rays of the sun and the nationality ‘BE’ is indicated in the lower rays. The mark of the mint master and the mark of the Brussels mint, a helmeted profile of the Archangel Michael, are displayed under the ‘1’ of the number ‘100’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 2 million coins

Issuing date: September 2013

Finland

Feature: The 150th anniversary of the Parliament of 1863 when regular Parliament sessions started in Finland

Description:The 2-euro commemorative coin is depicted with the year 1863 and a shoot growing out of it symbolising the start of democracy and Finland’s development. In semicircle, at the bottom, the name of the issuing country ‘SUOMI FINLAND’ with the two words separated by the mint mark, and the year ‘2013’. The Diet of 1863 is the start of period of illumination. In Finland, the year 1863 marked a start for genuine democracy, transparent press operations and the right to use the Finnish language. With the beginning of regular meetings of the Diet, the opportunities of Finns to influence affairs in their own country improved in an unprecedented way. The year marked the beginning of a period of illumination for Finnish democracy. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins

Issuing date: September 2013

Luxembourg

Feature: The National Anthem of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Description:The coin depicts on the right hand of its inner part the effigy of His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke Henri, looking to the left, and on the left hand of its inner part the musical notation as well as the text of the national anthem. The text ‘Ons Heemecht’ appears at the top of the inner part and the name of the issuing country ‘LËTZEBUERG’ as well as the year-date ‘2013’, flanked by the mint mark and the initials of the mint master, appear at the bottom of the inner part of the coin. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.4 million coins

Issuing date: September 2013

Slovakia

Feature: 1150th anniversary of the advent of the mission of Constantine and Methodius to Great Moravia

Description: The inner part of the coin features the Thessalonian brothers Constantine and Methodius on either side of the symbolic double cross standing on three hills. The cross is moreover held like a Bishop’s crozier, thereby bringing together the symbols of statehood and Christianity, and emphasising the significance of the brothers’ mission, which helped ensure the full sovereignty and legitimacy of Great Moravia — the first Slav state in central Europe. The figure of Constantine is holding a book that represents education and faith, while Methodius is shown with a church to symbolise faith and institutional Christianity. Inscribed along the bottom edge of the inner part of the coin is the name of the issuing country, “SLOVENSKO”, as well as the years “863” and “2013”, all separated by a dash. Along the upper edge of the inner part are the names “KONŠTANTÍN” and “METOD”. Inscribed immediately to the left of the brothers are the stylised letters “mh” (the initials of the designer, Miroslav Hric), while the mint mark of Kremnica Mint (composed of the letters “MK” between two dies) is shown immediately to their right. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins

Issuing date: July 2013

Monaco

Feature: The 20th anniversary of the ONU joining

Description:The coin depicts a dove with an olive branch, with in the middle of the arc, on the left side the cornucopia, and on the right side the punch, as the workshop Paris Mint mark. At the top, in semi-circle, the indication of the issuing country ‘MONACO’ and at the bottom, in semi-circle, the inscription ‘1993 ADMISSION À L'ONU 2013’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1.2 million coins

Issuing date: July 2013

Italy

Feature: 700th Anniversary of the birth of Giovanni BOCCACCIO

Description:The design shows the head of Giovanni BOCCACCIO in three quarter view facing right, drawn from the fresco by Andrea del Castagno, around 1450 ca. (Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi); around, on the bottom, BOCCACCIO 1313 2013; on the right, superimposed letters R (monogram of the Mint of Rome)/RI (monogram of Italian Republic)/m (monogram of the author Roberto Mauri). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 10 million coins

Issuing date: July 2013

Portugal

Feature: The 250th anniversary of the construction of ‘Torre dos Clérigos’

Description:The tower is depicted as it can be seen by the people on the street when standing close to it, side by side with the typical Oporto skyline as seen from Douro River south bank. At the top, in semi-circle, the inscription ‘250 ANOS TORRE DOS CLÉRIGOS — 2013’. At the bottom right, the Portuguese coat of arms and underneath the indication of the issuing country ‘PORTUGAL’. At the left, the mint mark and the name of the artist ‘INCM — HUGO MACIEL’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 525,000 coins

Issuing date: June 2013

France

Feature: 150th anniversary of the birth of Pierre de Coubertin, initiator of the revival of the Olympic Games and first president of the International Olympic Committee

Description: The inner part of the coin shows a portrait of Pierre de Coubertin at a young age, set slightly off-centre to the right, with stylised Olympic rings in the background. They provide the framework for silhouettes symbolising the Olympic sports. To the left of the portrait, the letters “RF”, denoting the issuing country, are given above the year of issue “2013”. The name “PIERRE DE COUBERTIN” is inscribed along the top edge of the inner part of the coin. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins

Issuing date: June 2013

Vatican City

Feature: Sede Vacante 2013

Description:The design features the coat of arms of the Cardinal Camerlengo and above it the symbol of the Apostolic Camera, two small crosses, the words ‘CITTÀ DEL VATICANO’ at the left and ‘SEDE VACANTE MMXIII’ at the right. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 125,000 coins

Issuing date: May 2013

Italy

Feature: 200th Anniversary of the birth of Giuseppe VERDI

Description:The design shows the bust of Giuseppe VERDI in three quarter view facing left; on the left, superimposed letters of the Italian Republic monogram ‘RI’/1813; on the right, R (monogram of the Mint of Rome)/2013; in exergue, MCC (monogram of the Author Maria Carmela COLANERI)/G. VERDI. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 10 million coins

Issuing date: March 2013

Netherlands

Feature: The announcement of the abdication of the throne by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix

Description: The design depicts on the foreground the effigy of Queen Beatrix and on the background, partly covered by the effigy of the Queen, the effigy of the Prince of Orange. The circumscription around both effigies reads: WILLEM-ALEXANDER PRINS VAN ORANJE (crown symbol) BEATRIX KONINGIN DER NEDERLANDEN (mint mark) 28 januari 2013 (mint master mark). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 20 million coins

Issuing date: February 2013

Germany

Feature: Baden-Württemberg from the ‘Länder’-series

Description:The inner part of the coin depicts the Maulbronn Monastery which is home to the most perfectly preserved medieval monastery complex north of the Alps. Founded in 1147, this complex has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. On the top, the year of issuance ‘2013’. At the bottom, the inscription BADEN- WÜRTTEMBERG and underneath the indication of the issuing country ‘D’. The mint mark, represented by the letter A, D, F, G or J, is located at the right hand side. At the bottom left the initials of the artist. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 30 million coins

Issuing date: February 2013

Slovenia

Feature: 800th anniversary of visits to Postojna Cave

Description: The central image of the coin is a stylised spiral that starts, on the left-hand side of the inner part, with inscription “POSTOJNSKA JAMA • 1213 - 2013 • SLOVENIJA” and ends with two stylised speleothems. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins

Issuing date: February 2013

Spain

Feature: Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial – UNESCO World Heritage series

Description: The inner part of the coin shows a view of the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Along the upper edge, in upper case letters, runs the name of the issuing country “ESPAÑA”, with the year of issuance “2013” above the mint mark to the right. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 8 million coins

Issuing date: February 2013

France

Feature: 50th anniversary of the signing of the Élysée Treaty

Description: The coin, which was designed by Yves Sampo (Monnaie de Paris), Stefanie Lindner (Berlin State Mint), Alina Hoyer (Berlin) and Sneschana Russewa-Hoyer (Berlin), depicts stylised portraits of the signatories to the Élysée Treaty (Konrad Adenauer, then Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Charles de Gaulle, former President of the French Republic) above their respective signatures on either side of the words “50 ANS JAHRE” and the year “2013” in the centre. The words “TRAITÉ DE L’ÉLYSÉE” and “ÉLYSÉE-VERTRAG” are centred along the top and bottom edge, respectively, of the inner part of the coin. On the right-hand inner edge below the portrait of Adenauer, the inner part also features the “fleurette” (hallmark of the engraving workshop) and the letters “RF” to denote the issuing country, while the mint mark is located on the coin’s left-hand inner edge below the portrait of de Gaulle. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 10 million coins

Issuing date: January 2013

Germany

Feature: 50th anniversary of the signing of the Élysée Treaty

Description: The coin, which was designed by Yves Sampo (Monnaie de Paris), Stefanie Lindner (Berlin State Mint), Alina Hoyer (Berlin) and Sneschana Russewa-Hoyer (Berlin), depicts stylised portraits of the signatories to the Élysée Treaty (Konrad Adenauer, then Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Charles de Gaulle, former President of the French Republic) above their respective signatures on either side of the words “50 ANS JAHRE” and the year “2013” in the centre. The words “TRAITÉ DE L’ÉLYSÉE” and “ÉLYSÉE-VERTRAG” are centred along the top and bottom edge, respectively, of the inner part of the coin. On the right-hand inner edge below the portrait of Adenauer, the inner part also features the mint mark (“A”, “D”, “F”, “G” or “J”, depending on the mint concerned), as well as the letter “D” to denote the issuing country. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 11 million coins

Issuing date: January 2013