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2 euro commemorative coin of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, issued in 2017 in a circulation of 500,000 copies. Dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Grand Duke Wilhelm III. Minted at the Royal Netherlands Mint. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
On the left of the coin is a portrait of the current Grand Duke Henri, on the right is a portrait of Grand Duke Wilhelm III in military uniform. Inscriptions: "LËTZEBUERG", "200e ANNIVERSAIRE DE LA NAISSANCE DU GRAND-DUC GUILLAUME III" and the dates "1817-2017". Mint and mintmaster marks in appropriate places. The outer ring of the coin features the 12 five-pointed stars of the European Union.
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 fluted and has the inscription "2 ★", repeated six times, alternately upright and inverted.
Historical context
Grand Duke William III (19 February 1817 – 23 November 1890) was King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg from 17 March 1849 to 23 November 1890, and Duke of Limburg from 1849 to 1866. He was the son of King William II of the Netherlands and Anna Pavlovna of Russia (daughter of Emperor Paul I). He ruled the Netherlands and Luxembourg during a period of significant reforms and industrialization. In the Netherlands, he was known for his conservative views and conflicts with the liberal government. As for Luxembourg, he played a key role in defending the country's independence - in particular in the Luxembourg Crisis of 1867, when he tried to sell Luxembourg to France, but this was stopped by the Treaty of London of 1867, which declared the country's permanent neutrality. After the death of William III, as he had no male heirs, the Netherlands was inherited by his daughter Wilhelmina, and Luxembourg passed to Adolf of Nassau-Weilburg by Salic law - thus beginning the current Luxembourg dynasty.