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A common commemorative 2 euro coin issued by Ireland in 2022 to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus programme. The joint design was by Joaquin Jimenez. The Irish version has a mintage of 500,000. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
The centre features a stylized portrait of Erasmus of Rotterdam with a decorative surround symbolising student mobility. The inscriptions: "35 ans", "ERASMUS PROGRAMME", "ÉIRE 1987-2022". The outer ring features the 12 stars of the EU.
Reverse
The reverse is the 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. 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 European Union. The band is with fine ribbing and a national inscription.
Historical context
The Erasmus program was established on June 15, 1987 by a decision of the Council of the European Communities. It is named in honor of Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466-1536) - a great Dutch humanist, who himself traveled extensively to European universities. Initially, the program was aimed exclusively at student exchanges between universities, but since 2014 (as Erasmus+) it covers education at all levels, vocational training, youth work and sport. For Ireland, as an English-speaking country with a large student community, Erasmus is of particular importance: every year more than 4,000 Irish students go abroad under the program, and about the same number of foreign students come to Ireland. Over the 35 years of its existence, more than 13 million people have participated in it. The program has become a symbol of European integration of young people, contributing to the formation of a generation of Europeans who feel like citizens of Europe.