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Commemorative coin 2 euros of Germany, issued in 2012. A common coin of all 17 countries of the euro zone in honor of the 10th anniversary of euro banknotes and coins. The author of the joint design is Helmut Andexinger. It was minted at five German mints. Total circulation of about 30 million copies. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Overse
The center of the coin depicts a stylized euro symbol "€", surrounded by elements of the economy: a building, a bridge, a ship, factory pipes, wind turbines, and figures of people. In the background is a globe. At the top is "BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND", at the bottom is "2002-2012" with the mint mark. 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 fluted and has the German inscription "EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT" (Unity and Law and Freedom - words from the German anthem).
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 circulated in parallel with the euro. Germany exchanged its national currency - the German mark (Deutsche Mark) - for the euro at a rate of 1 euro = 1.95583 marks. It was the second strongest currency in the world after the US dollar. The euro transition is the largest monetary reform in history. In 2012, the euro area consisted of 17 countries. The design of the coin was chosen through an online vote by EU citizens on the European Commission website (over 34,000 votes) - this was the first such precedent.