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A common commemorative 2 euro coin minted by all eurozone countries in 2009 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the introduction of the euro. The coin marks an important milestone in European integration.
Obverse
The standard obverse of the 2 euro coins shows the EU map, the 12 stars of the European Union, the Vantaa mint mark and the year 2009. The Finnish version follows the pan-European design.
Reverse
The reverse shows the euro sign "€" and a human figure against a symbolic image of the Earth. The inscriptions "1999–2009" and "EMU" mark the decades of the monetary union. The outer ring features the 12 stars of the EU. The design was developed following a pan-European competition.
Historical context
The Economic and Monetary Union officially launched on 1 January 1999: the euro was introduced as a non-cash currency for 11 countries. Cash euros appeared on 1 January 2002 in 12 countries. The EMU introduced a single monetary policy of the European Central Bank and contributed to price stabilization and increased trade in the euro area.