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Commemorative coin of 2 euros of Spain, issued in 2012 with a circulation of 8,000,000 copies. A common coin of all 17 countries of the euro zone in honor of the 10th anniversary of euro banknotes and coins. The author of the joint design is Helmut Andexlinger (Austrian Mint). It was minted at the Madrid Mint. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts a stylized euro symbol "€", surrounded by elements symbolizing the use of the euro: a building (bank and trade), traffic (a bridge is a symbol of unity), a ship, factory pipes (industry), wind turbines (green energy), as well as a fragment of human figures representing citizens - users of the euro. In the background is a globe as a symbol of the international dimension of the single currency. On the left, in an arc, is the inscription "ESPAÑA" and the years "2002-2012", below is the Madrid mint mark. On the outer ring are 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 (Royal Belgian Mint). It depicts a map of Europe as a single continent without internal borders - a symbol of European unity. On the left is a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right is a map with six thin horizontal lines in the background. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the European Union. The band is finely grooved and the inscription "2 ★", repeated six times alternately upright and inverted.
Historical context
The euro is the official currency of the European Union, created on January 1, 1999 as a non-cash currency, and introduced into circulation as banknotes and coins on January 1, 2002 in 12 countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. For the first few weeks of 2002, national currencies (peseta, lira, mark, franc, etc.) circulated in parallel with the euro, after which they were finally withdrawn. In 2012, the euro zone was expanded to 17 countries. The transition to a single currency is the largest monetary reform in history. In 2012, all eurozone countries issued a common €2 coin with the same design on the national side. The design was chosen through an online vote by EU citizens on the European Commission website (over 34,000 votes).