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Commemorative coin 2 euros of the Federal Republic of Germany, issued on February 1, 2017. The twelfth in the series "Federal States of Germany". Dedicated to Rhineland-Palatinate. Minted at five German mints. Total circulation of about 30 million copies. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
In the center of the coin is depicted Porta Nigra - a massive Roman gate with two towers and two rows of arches. The architecture conveys the monumentality of ancient Roman construction. At the top - "RHEINLAND-PFALZ". At the bottom - the mint mark. On the left - "BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND". On the outer ring are 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 rim is finely fluted and has the German inscription "EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT" (Unity and Law and Freedom).
Historical context
Porta Nigra (Latin "Black Gate") is the largest and best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps, located in Trier (Rhineland-Palatinate). Built around 170 AD during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius as the northern entrance to the Roman city of Augusta Treverorum (now Trier). The building consists of two massive flank towers and two arched passages between them. Height - 29.3 m, width - 36 m. Built of sandstone without mortar, fastened with iron brackets. The name "Black" comes from the dark color of the stone. In the 11th century. The gate was converted into the Church of St. Simeon (in honor of the Greek ascetic monk who lived in the gate). In 1804, during the Napoleonic era, the church was liquidated and the gate was returned to its original Roman appearance. In 1986, the Porta Nigra, along with other Roman monuments of Trier, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Trier is the oldest city in Germany.