Shopping Cart
2 euro commemorative coin of the Republic of Cyprus, issued on 1 July 2022 with a circulation of 381,000 copies. Joint issue of the euro area countries in honor of the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus program. The author of the joint design is Joaquin Jimenez (initials "JJ"). Minted in Suomen Ragapa Oy (Finland). Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Overse
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. Below, in the form of an arc, are the dates "1987-2022" (the year of the birth of the program and the year of the coin's issue) and the inscription "ERASMUS PROGRAMME". Around it is the name of the issuing country in two languages: "ΚΥΠΡΟΣ — KIBRIS". On the outer ring are the 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 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 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" who studied and taught at various European universities. The idea of the program belongs to the Italian educator Sofia Corradi, 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 had participated in the program. 2022 marked the 35th anniversary of the program, and all eurozone countries issued a common coin. Cyprus has been actively participating in the program since joining the EU in 2004.