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A common 2-euro commemorative coin issued by Austria in 2009 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Economic and Monetary Union. The coin was issued by all eurozone countries with the same obverse design. The design was chosen by an online vote of EU citizens from five finalists. The author of the design is Georgios Stamatopoulos, sculptor of the Bank of Greece Mint.
Obverse
The centre features a stylised human figure, combined with the euro symbol "€". The design aims to convey the idea that the single currency and, more broadly, the Economic and Monetary Union are the latest stage in the long history of European trade and economic integration. The image is surrounded by the inscription "REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH" (Republic of Austria), and below the figure is the inscription "WWU 1999–2009" (Economic and Monetary Union). Above the year "2009" are the author's initials "ΓΣ". On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the EU.
Reverse
The reverse is the updated common side of the 2 euro coins of the second type, designed by Luc Luix. It depicts a map of Europe as a single continent without internal borders, symbolizing European unity. On the left is a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right is a map. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the EU. The edge has a fine groove with the inscription "2 EURO ***", repeated four times.
Historical context
Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) is a process of harmonizing the economic and monetary policies of the European Union countries, which culminated in the introduction of a common currency, the euro. The third, decisive stage of EMU began on January 1, 1999, when the euro was introduced as a non-cash currency in 11 countries, and the exchange rates of national currencies were irreversibly fixed against the euro. On the same day, the European Central Bank took over responsibility for the monetary policy of the euro area. Cash euro coins and banknotes entered circulation on January 1, 2002. EMU is one of the greatest achievements of European integration in modern history.