Coin design

The reverse side of all coins in the euro area, symbolising the Union, was designed by Luc Luycx of the Mint of Belgium in 1996. The map appearing on the coins was re-designed in 2007 to reflect Europe instead of just the countries in the European Union. No changes were made to the one, two and five cent pieces, however.

The eight euro coins vary in size, weight, and colour, and they are made of different metals. The edges of consecutive coins are also different. The use of two metals in the one and two euro coins is based on a number of practical considerations. The design makes it easier for the visually impaired to tell the coins apart, but there are also security-related reasons. Bimetal coins are more difficult to counterfeit, a quality further enhanced by the inscription on the edge of the two-euro coin.

Euros are accepted as legal tender also outside the eurozone. Euros are used in Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican and Andorra, and also accepted in Montenegro and UN-controlled Kosovo.

Special-issue two euro coins

Since 2004, each Member State has been permitted to issue one two-euro commemorative coin each year. These special-issue coins have the same common side as regular coins while the commemorative image appears on the obverse.

Special-issue coins minted in Finland have celebrated topics such as the birth of the United Nations, universal suffrage and the anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights. In 2009, a commemorative two-euro piece was struck in honour of 200 years of autonomy.

The mintage of special issues varies greatly. Up to thirty million special-issue coins may be minted in Germany while San Marino only requires 130,000. The mintage of Finnish special-issue coins varies from 1.5 to 2.5 million; the Autonomy coin, for example, had a mintage of 1.6 million pieces.

Mint of Finland mintmark

Euro coins also bear a mintmark, also referred to as the mint master’s mark, indicating where the coin was minted. The initials of the head of the mint, used for quite some time, have now been replaced with the logo of Mint of Finland. The coins may also bear a country code or the insignia of the engraver. The two tiny letters “L” appearing on the common side of euro coins stand for Luc Luycx.