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Commemorative coin of 2 euros of the Federal Republic of Germany, issued on February 4, 2016. The eleventh in the series "Federal States of Germany". Dedicated to Saxony. 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 an architectural detail of the Zwinger in Dresden - the characteristic Kronentor (Crown Gate) with a massive spire topped with a gilded crown of Poland (in memory of the title of Augustus the Strong as King of Poland). At the top is the name of the land "SACHSEN". At the bottom is the mint mark, year. On the left is "BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND". On the outer ring are 12 five-pointed EU stars.
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 - a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right - a map with six thin horizontal lines in the background. On the outer ring - 12 stars of the European Union. The band - with thin ribbing and the German inscription "EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT" (Unity and Law and Freedom).
Historical context
The Zwinger is a palace in Dresden, a masterpiece of late Baroque in German architecture. Built in 1709-1728 for the Elector of Saxony and King of Poland August the Strong (August der Starke, Friedrich August I) as a greenhouse and a place for holding court festivities and tournaments. Architect - Matthaeus Daniel Peppelmann, sculptor - Balthasar Permmoser. The name "Zwinger" means the space between two city walls (a medieval defensive structure). The palace has a characteristic layout - an inner courtyard surrounded by galleries with pavilions. The most famous gates: Kronentor with a gilded crown and Nymphenburg. In 1855, Gottfried Semper completed the north wing with a picture gallery. The Zwinger was seriously damaged during the bombing of Dresden on February 13-14, 1945, but was restored in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, the Zwinger houses the Old Picture Gallery with masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, and Velázquez; the Grunes Hevelbe Treasury; and the Hall of Mathematics and Physics.