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Commemorative coin of the Republic of Malta, issued in 2012 in a circulation of 500,000 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 the Paris 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 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 "MALTA" and the years "2002-2012". 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, with a Maltese cross and the inscription "★ 2 ★".
Historical context
The euro is the official currency of the European Union, created on 1 January 1999 as a non-cash currency, and introduced into circulation as banknotes and coins on 1 January 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 circulated in parallel with the euro. Malta became a member of the EU on 1 May 2004 and joined the euro zone on 1 January 2008, replacing the Maltese lira with the euro at a rate of 1 euro = 0.4293 ML. In 2012, the euro zone consisted of 17 countries. The changeover to the single currency was the biggest monetary reform in history. All eurozone 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 (over 34,000 votes).