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Commemorative coin of the Republic of Cyprus, issued in 2012 with a circulation of 975,000 copies. A common coin of all 17 euro zone countries 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 Suomen Ragapa Oy (Finland). Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Overse
The center of the coin depicts a stylized euro symbol "€", surrounded by elements symbolizing the use of the euro in Europe: a building (bank and trade), a bridge (unity), a ship, factory pipes (industry), wind turbines (green energy) and figures of people (citizens - euro users). In the background is a globe as a symbol of the international significance of the currency. At the top, in a circle, is the name of the issuing country in two languages: "ΚΥΠΡΟΣ — KIBRIS" (Cyprus in Greek and Turkish). At the bottom, the years "2002-2012". On the outer ring, there are 12 five-pointed 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, there is a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right, there is a map with six thin horizontal lines in the background. On the outer ring, there are 12 stars of the European Union. The band is finely grooved and has 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. Cyprus became a member of the EU on May 1, 2004 and joined the euro zone on January 1, 2008, replacing the Cypriot pound with the euro at a rate of 1 euro = 0.585274 pounds. In 2012, the euro area consisted of 17 countries. The changeover to the single currency was the largest monetary reform in history. All euro area countries issued a common 2-euro coin with the same design. The design was chosen through an online vote by EU citizens on the European Commission website.