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Commemorative coin of the Italian Republic of 2 euros, issued on 1 July 2022 in a circulation of 3,000,000 copies. Joint issue of the euro zone countries in honor of the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus program. The author of the joint design is Joaquin Jimenez (initials "JJ"). Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g. Minted at the IPZS in Rome.
Obverse
On the national side, in the center of the coin, the profile of the humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam is depicted, focused on writing a text. In the background, numerous lines converge at various points, creating a star pattern - a symbol of the international nature of the program and exchange throughout Europe. At the bottom right, in the form of an arc, are the dates "1987-2022" (the year of the birth of the program and the year of issue of the coin) and the inscription "ERASMUS PROGRAMME". In the center - the monogram "RI" (Repubblica Italiana) and the initials "JJ" of the French designer. On the outer ring - 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 - a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right - a map with six thin horizontal lines in the background. On the outer ring - the 12 stars of the European Union. The band is finely grooved and has the inscription "2 ★", repeated six times, alternating upright and inverted.
Historical context
The Erasmus program (European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) is one of the most famous programs of the European Union, launched on June 15, 1987 to stimulate student exchange between European universities. It is named after the Dutch humanist philosopher Erasmus of Rotterdam (c. 1466-1536), who himself was a "traveling scholar". The idea for the program belongs to the Italian educator Sofia Corradi (called the "mother of Erasmus"), who proposed it back in 1969. Since 2014, the program has been merged into the broader "Erasmus+", which covers education, youth, sport and vocational training. By 2022, over 13 million students, teachers, and volunteers had participated in the program. 2022 marked the 35th anniversary of the program, and all eurozone countries issued a common coin.