Shopping Cart
Commemorative coin of 2 euros of Germany, issued in 2024. Dedicated to the 175th anniversary of the Paulskirchen Constitution. It was minted at five German mints. Total circulation of about 30 million copies. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Overse
In the center of the coin is depicted the facade of the Paulskirche in Frankfurt am Main with the document of the Constitution of 1849 next to it. Above — "PAULSKIRCHENVERFASSUNG", below — "1849-2024", 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 band is finely fluted and the German inscription "EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT" (Unity and Law and Freedom).
Historical context
The Paulskirchen Constitution (Verfassung des deutschen Reiches, or Paulskirchenverfassung) is the first democratic constitution of a united Germany, adopted on March 28, 1849 by the Frankfurt National Assembly in the Paulskirche in Frankfurt am Main. The assembly met on May 18, 1848 during the Revolution of 1848-1849. It was attended by representatives of all German states, freely elected. The constitution provided for: a united Germany as a federal constitutional monarchy (without Austria - "kleindeutsche Lösung"); a German emperor (corona obtained); a bicameral parliament (Volkshaus and Staatenhaus); a basket of fundamental rights (freedom of speech, press, religion, equality before the law); abolition of the privileges of the nobility. The imperial crown was offered to Frederick William IV of Prussia, but he refused ("crown from the gutter"). The constitution did not enter into force due to the resistance of the Prussian and Austrian monarchs. However, it became an important precedent and foundation for subsequent German constitutions - especially the Weimar Constitution (1919) and the Basic Law (1949).