Identifying marks on euro coins

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Before the introduction of the euro, the current eurozone members issued their own individual national coinage, most of which featured mint marks, privy marks and/or mint master marks. These marks have been continued as a part of the national designs of the euro coins, as well. This article serves to list the information about the various types of identifying marks on euro coins, including engraver and designer initials and the unique edge inscriptions found on the €2 coins.

Contents

Date stamps on euro coins

Since the euro was officially introduced in 1999, most of the EMU member countries began producing their coins ahead of the 2002 introduction date. There is individual national legislation in place which governs the mintage of coins issued from each country. These coinage acts regulate the coin production parameters for each country.

Mintage date

The coinage acts of countries with a mintage date stipulation specify that the year the coin is minted, regardless of when the coins are issued, should appear on each coin. Belgium, Finland, France, the Netherlands and Spain have mintage date stipulations.

Issue date

The coinage acts of countries with an issue date stipulation specify that the year the coin is issued, regardless of when the coins are minted, should appear on each coin. Austria, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, San Marino and the Vatican City have issue date stipulations.

Conclusion

Since the euro was first issued in 2002, the countries which have an issue date stipulation are all dated 2002 onward, even though these coins were minted in previous years to prepare for the adoption of the euro. As a result, there are no euro coins dated 1999, 2000 and 2001 issued from countries with an issue date stipulation.

Luxembourg has no domestic mint, so their coins are minted elsewhere. Regardless of the mintage location of these coins, the issue date stipulation in their coinage act must be followed by whichever country mints their coins and the date stamp is therefore applied accordingly.

Since Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City do not have their own coinage acts, the date stamp is applied in accordance with the coinage act of whichever country mints these coins. France produces the euro coins for Monaco and follows the mintage date stipulation; it began minting Monégasque euro coins only in 2001, since the mintage quantities were so low. Sammarinese and Vatican euro coins are minted in Italy and follow the issue date stipulation.

National identifying marks of euro coins

As per a recommendation defined by the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of the European Union, [1] the national designs of each member's euro coin should contain a national identification in the form of spelling or abbreviation of the country's name. Of the fifteen members of the Eurozone at the time these recommendations were made, five national designs—those of Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany and Greece—did not meet the criteria outlined. Of these five, two (Finland in 2007 and Belgium in 2008) have changed or amended their design to follow these recommendations, and the other three are expected to follow suit in the coming years.

National identifying marks on euro coins by country
CountryTypeDescriptionImage
Andorra TextANDORRA
Austria TextREPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH (only on commemorative €2 issues since 2007)
Symbol Flag of Austria Euro id austria s01.gif
Belgium [2] TextBELGIE-BELGIQUE-BELGIEN
SymbolMonogram of King Albert II Euro id belgium s01.jpg
SymbolMonogram of King Philippe
AbbreviationB (€2 commemorative coin 2006)
AbbreviationBE (België/Belgique/Belgien in Dutch, French and German) [3]
Croatia TextHRVATSKA
Symbol Croatian checkerboard
Cyprus TextΚΥΠΡΟΣ/KIBRIS (in both Greek and Turkish)
Estonia TextEESTI (Estonia)
Finland AbbreviationFI (Finland) [4]
France TextRÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE (French Republic in French) French 2Euro coin 2001.jpg
Abbreviationstylised RF (République française)
Germany TextBUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND (Federal Republic of Germany in German) (only on commemorative €2 issues until 2009 and commemorative €2 commonly issued coins until 2015)
AbbreviationD (only on commemorative €2 issues since 2010 (except commemorative €2 commonly issued coins from 2012 and 2015), not to be confused with Munich mint mark "D" on standard-issue designs of all denominations)
SymbolDepiction of the Bundesadler (Federal Eagle) (only on standard-issue €1 and €2 designs)
Greece [5] TextΕΥΡΩΠΗ (EUROPA) 2 EYPΩ (Euro) Greek 2Euro Coin 2002.jpg
Edge LetteringΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ (Hellenic Republic in Greek) (only on commemorative €2 issues since 2007)
Ireland Text / Symboléire (in Gaelic type)Harp
Italy TextREPUBBLICA ITALIANA (Italian Republic in Italian) Italian 1Euro coin 2002.jpg
Abbreviationstylised RI (Repubblica Italiana)
Latvia TextLATVIJA
SymbolLV (€2 commemorative coin 2014-2015)
Lithuania TextLIETUVA
Luxembourg TextLËTZEBUERG (Luxembourg in Luxembourgish)
TextLUXEMBOURG (Luxembourg in French)
Symbolmonogram of Grand Duke Henri (€2 commemorative coin 2005)
Symbollion (€2 commemorative coin 2018 and onwards)
Malta TextMALTA
Monaco TextMONACO
Netherlands TextWILLEM-ALEXANDER KONING DER NEDERLANDEN (Willem Alexander, King of the Netherlands)
TextBEATRIX KONINGIN DER NEDERLANDEN (Beatrix, Queen of the Netherlands)
TextNEDERLAND (€2 commemorative coin 2009, 2012, 2015)
TextKONINKRIJK DER NEDERLANDEN (€2 commemorative coin 2007)
Portugal TextPORTUGAL
San Marino TextSAN MARINO
Slovakia TextSLOVENSKO
Slovenia TextSLOVENIJA
Spain TextESPAÑA Espana coin mark.jpg
Vatican City TextCITTÀ DEL VATICANO (Vatican City)

Mint marks

The use of mint marks on euro coins takes one of these three forms:

Mint marks on euro coins by country
CountryMint locationMint markMint mark descriptionNotes
Belgium (2005-2017)Brussels Euro mintmarkmark belgium.jpg Head of archangel St. Michael, patron saint of Brussels.Prior to 2008, Belgian mark had only been used on commemorative issues. Since 2008, the mark is used on both standard issue and commemorative issue coins.
Belgium (2018–present)Utrecht, Netherlands Euro mintmark netherlands.jpg Mercury's wand, the logo of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (Royal Dutch Mint)
FinlandVantaa Euro id finland s02.jpg [4] Logo of the Rahapaja Oy mintThe Cornucopian logo was used until 2010. Since 2011, the logo is a heraldic lion.
FrancePessac Euro mintmarkmark france.jpg Cornucopia, Different of the Monnaie de Paris [6]
GermanyGerman Euro coins are minted at 5 locations in GermanyA, D, F, G, JLettersA for Berlin, D for Munich, F for Stuttgart, G for Karlsruhe, J for Hamburg,

while B, C, E and H used to be mint locations that had been closed prior to the introduction of the euro.

Greece (2002)Madrid, Spain
Pessac, France
Vantaa, Finland
Athens
E (20c),
F (1c, 2c, 5c, 10c and 50c),
S [7] (€1 and €2)
LettersE for Spain (España), F for France, S for Finland (Suomi).
The initial supply of Greek euro coins were produced at three locations, in addition to the Athens mint, due to their late entry into the European Monetary Union (EMU) just before the introduction date on 1 January 2002; only certain denominations of Greek coins with the date stamp of "2002" have these mint marks. Greek euro coins dated 2002 without these mint marks were produced in Athens, Greece.
All Greek euro coins bear the standard Greek mint mark symbol of the Athens mint.
Greece (2002–present)Athens Euro mintmark greece.jpg Stylised acanthus leaf
ItalyRomeRLetter
LithuaniaVilnius Euro mintmark lithuania.jpg Lietuvos monetų kalykla (Lithuanian Mint House, LMK) logo
Luxembourg (2002–2004)Utrecht, Netherlands Euro mintmark netherlands.jpg Mercury's wand, the logo of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (Royal Dutch Mint)
Luxembourg (2005–2006)Vantaa, FinlandS, [7] Euro id finland s02.jpg Letter, logo of the (Suomen) Rahapaja Oy mint
Luxembourg (2007–2008)Pessac, FranceF, Euro mintmarkmark france.jpg Letter, Cornucopia, Different of the Monnaie de Paris [6]
Luxembourg (2009–present)Utrecht, Netherlands Euro mintmark netherlands.jpg Mercury's wand, the logo of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (Royal Dutch Mint)
Malta (2008, 2016-present)Paris, FranceFLetter
Malta (2009)Utrecht, Netherlands Euro mintmark netherlands.jpg Mercury's wand, the logo of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (Royal Dutch Mint)There were no standard issue coins in 2009, only one commemorative coin.
MonacoPessac, France Euro mintmarkmark france.jpg Cornucopia, Different of the Monnaie de Paris [6] (Paris Mint)
NetherlandsUtrecht Euro mintmark netherlands.jpg Mercury's wand, the logo of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (Royal Dutch Mint)
Poland Warsaw Euro mintmark poland.jpg Mennica Polska (Polish Mint) logoPoland is not yet part of the Eurozone. When the euro is introduced, this is the mintmark which will be used.
The Polish Mint logo is the letter M on top of the letter W and comes from Mennica Warszawa or Warsaw Mint
Portugal (2007–present)LisbonINCMImprensa Nacional – Casa de Moeda (National Currency – Mint House) abbreviation
Portugal (2020–present)LisbonCASA DA MOEDAMint House textThis mark is only been used on commemorative issues.
San MarinoRome, ItalyRLetter
SlovakiaKremnica Euro mintmark slovakia.jpg Mincovňa Kremnica (Kremnican Mint, MK) logo
Slovenia (2007)Vantaa, FinlandFi [7] Abbreviation
Slovenia (2008)Utrecht, Netherlands Euro mintmark netherlands.jpg Mercury's wand, the logo of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (Royal Dutch Mint)
SpainMadrid Mintmark of Casa de la Moneda, Madrid.jpg Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (National Factory of Currency and Stamps) logo
VaticanRome, ItalyRLetter

Mint master marks and privy marks

Mint master marks or privy marks are symbols representing directors, chief engravers or chief executive officers of mints.

Belgium

The directors of the Monnaie Royale de Belgique/Koninklijke Munt van België (Royal Belgian Mint) in Brussels uses mint master's marks on all €2 commemorative coins and on all Belgian euro coins with a datestamp from 2008 onwards minted at this location.

Mint master marks on Belgian euro coins
MarkMark descriptionName of mint masterCoin dates
Euro mintmaster belgium 01.jpg Scale Romain Coenen 1999–2009 (€2 commemorative coins)
2008–2009 (standard issue euro coins)
[8] Quill Serge Lesens 2009-2012 (€2 commemorative coins)
2010–2012 (standard issue euro coins)
[9] Cat Bernard Gillard 2012-2016 (Commemorative coins)
2013-2016 (standard issue euro coins)
[10] Coat of arms of Herzele Ingrid van Herzele 2017–2022
[11] Aster and Erlenmeyer flask Giovanni Van de Velde 2023–present

Finland

The director of the Rahapaja Oy (Mint of Finland, LTD.) mint in Helsinki-Vantaa used a mint master's mark on Finnish euro coins minted at this location with the date stamp between 1999 and 2006.

Mint master mark on Finnish euro coins 1999–2006
MarkMark descriptionName of mint masterCoin dates
MLetter Raimo Makkonen 1999–2006

France

The directors of Monnaie de Paris in Pessac use mint master's marks on all French euro coins minted at this location.

Mint master marks on French euro coins
MarkMark descriptionName of mint masterCoin dates
Euro mintmaster france 01.jpg Bee Pierre Rodier 1999–2000
Euro mintmaster france 02.jpg Horseshoe Gérard Buquoy 2001–2002
Euro mintmaster france 03.jpg Stylised heart with the initials of the mint master Serge Levet 2003
Euro mintmaster france 04.jpg [6] Hunting horn, a wave and a fish Hubert Larivière 2004–2010
[12] Pentagon with letters AG, MP and YS Yves Sampo 2011–2020
[13] Square with letters JJ Joaquin Jimenez 2021–present

Luxembourg

Luxembourg euro coins dated 2002 were minted in the Netherlands in 2000 and thus bear the mint master mark of E. J. van Schauwenburg, Temporary Director of the Utrecht Mint during the year of coin production. The Coinage Act of Luxembourg stipulates that national coins cannot have a date stamp prior to the year of issue. Therefore, Luxembourg euro coins bear the mint master mark of the Temporary Director at the time of minting, despite the date on the coins.

Coins dated 2003–2004 bear the mint master mark of Maarten Brouwer, Director of the Utrecht Mint from 2003–2015. Luxembourgian euro coins dated 2005–2006 were produced at Rahapaja Oy (Mint of Finland), in Helsinki-Vantaa, Finland. Since the mint director does not affix a mint master mark to coins in production at that location, these coins do not bear a mint master mark but an S [7] and the logo of the 'Suomen Rahapaja' instead.

Luxembourg euro coins dated 2007-2008 were produced at Monnaie de Paris, in Pessac, France and bear the mint master mark of Hubert Larivière, Director of the Paris Mint.

As of 2009, coins are again minted at the Royal Dutch Mint in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Until 2015 it was again the mint master mark of Maarten Brouwer. From 2016-2017 Kees Bruinsma was the Temporary Director of the Utrecht Mint.

Mint master marks on Luxembourgian euro coins
MarkMark descriptionName of mint masterCoin dates
Euro mintmaster netherlands 02.jpg Bow and arrow with a star [14] E. J. van Schauwenburg 2002
Euro mintmaster netherlands 05.jpg Sailboat Maarten Brouwer 2003–2004
Euro mintmaster france 04.jpg [6] Hunting horn, a wave and a fish Hubert Larivière 2007–2008
Euro mintmaster netherlands 05.jpg Sailboat Maarten Brouwer 2009–2015
Sailboat with a star [14] Kees Bruinsma 2016–2017
[15] St. Servatius Bridge Stephan Satijn 2017–2021
Raven Bert van Ravenswaaij 2022–present

Monaco

Monegasque euro coins are produced by Monnaie de Paris, in Pessac, France beginning in 2001 and thus bear the mint master mark of Gérard Buquoy, Serge Levet, Hubert Larivière and Yves Sampo Directors of the Mint from 2001–2002, 2003, 2004–2010 and 2011–present respectively.

Mint master marks on Monegasque euro coins
MarkMark descriptionName of mint masterCoin dates
Euro mintmaster france 02.jpg Horseshoe Gérard Buquoy 2001–2002
Euro mintmaster france 03.jpg Stylised heart with the initials of the mint master Serge Levet 2003
Euro mintmaster france 04.jpg [6] Hunting horn, a wave and a fish Hubert Larivière 2004–2010 [16]
[12] Pentagon with letters AG, MP and YS Yves Sampo 2011–2020
Square with letters JJ Joaquin Jimenez 2021–present

Netherlands

The mint masters of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (Royal Dutch Mint) in Utrecht use mint master's marks on all Dutch euro coins minted at this location. [17]

Mint master marks on Dutch euro coins
MarkMark descriptionName of mint masterCoin dates
Euro mintmaster netherlands 01.jpg Bow and arrow Drs. Chr. van Draanen 1999
Euro mintmaster netherlands 02.jpg Bow and arrow with a star [14] E. J. van Schauwenburg 2000
Euro mintmaster netherlands 03.jpg Vine branch and fruits R. Bruens 2001
Euro mintmaster netherlands 04.jpg Vine branch and fruits with a star [14] Maarten Brouwer 2002
Euro mintmaster netherlands 05.jpg Sailboat Maarten Brouwer 2003–2015
Sailboat with a star [14] Kees Bruinsma 2016–2017
[18] St. Servatius Bridge Stephan Satijn 2017–present

Slovenia

Slovenian euro coins dated 2008 were produced at Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt in Utrecht, the Netherlands, and bear the mint master mark of Maarten Brouwer, director of the Royal Dutch Mint from 2003 until 2015.

Mint master mark on Slovenian euro coins 2008
MarkMark descriptionName of mint masterCoin dates
Euro mintmaster netherlands 05.jpg Sailboat Maarten Brouwer 2008

Designer, sculptor and engraver initials on euro coins

Each country had the opportunity to design its own national side of the euro coin. Most coins bear the initials or the name of the designer somewhere in the national design. For example, all eight motives of the common reverse sides of the euro coins bear the stylised initials "LL" for Luc Luycx. Euro.inscription.common.jpg

Designer, sculptor and engraver initials on standard euro coins

Inscriptions of initials on standard issue euro coins by country
Euro coin denominationInscription imageInscription textNameTitle
France
1, 2, 5 cent Euro.inscription.initial.france.008.jpg F. COURTIADE Fabienne Courtiade designer
10, 20, 50 cent Euro.inscription.initial.france.jpg [19] L. JORIO d'ap. O.ROTY Laurent Jorio, Oscar Roty [20] designer
1, 2 euro Euro.inscription.initial.france.300.jpg J. JIMENEZ Joaquim Jimenez designer
Greece
All denominations Euro.inscription.initial.greece.388.jpg ΓΣ (stylised) Georges Stamatopoulos designer
Italy
1 cent Euro.inscription.initial.italy.001.jpg ED (stylised) Eugenio Driutti engraver
2 cent Euro.inscription.initial.italy.002.jpg LDS (stylised) Luciana De Simoni engraver
5 cent Euro.inscription.initial.italy.005.jpg ELF Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini engraver
10 cent Euro.inscription.initial.italy.010.jpg CM Claudia Momoni engraver
20 cent Euro.inscription.initial.italy.020.jpg M.A.C. Maria Angela Cassol engraver
50 cent Euro.inscription.initial.italy.050.jpg M (stylised) Roberto Mauri engraver
1 euro Euro.inscription.initial.italy.100.jpg LC (stylised) Laura Cretara engraver
2 euro Euro.inscription.initial.italy.200.jpg M.C.C. Maria Carmela Colaneri engraver
Luxembourg
All denominations Euro.inscription.initial.luxembourg.388.jpg YGC (stylised) Yvette Gastauer-Claire designer
Malta
1, 2 and 5 cent Euro.inscription.initial.malta.008.jpg NGB Noel Galea Bason designer
Portugal
All denominations Euro.inscription.initial.portugal.388.jpg VS (stylised) Vítor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos designer
San Marino (first series)
All denominations Euro.inscription.sculptor.sanmarino.388.jpg Ch (stylised) Frantisek Chochola sculptor
All denominations Euro.inscription.engraver.sanmarino.388.jpg ELF INC. [21] Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini engraver
San Marino (second series)
All denominationsAL (stylised) Arno Ludwig sculptor
All denominationsE.L.F MOD. Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini engraver
Slovakia
1, 2, 5 cent Euro.inscription.initial.slovakia.008.jpg Z Drahomír Zobek designer
10, 20, 50 cent Euro.inscription.initial.slovakia.080.jpg JČ (stylised) and 'PK' (stylised) Ján Černaj and Pavol Károly designers
Euro.inscription.initial.slovakia.300.jpg IŘ (stylised) Ivan Řehák designer
Vatican City (first series)
1, 2 and 5 cent Euro.inscription.initial.vat.s01.008.jpg GV • UP INC. [21] Guido Veroi
Uliana Pernazza
sculptor
engraver
10, 20 and 50 cent Euro.inscription.initial.vat.s01.080.jpg GV • UP INC. [21] Guido Veroi
Uliana Pernazza
sculptor
engraver
1 and 2 euro Euro.inscription.initial.vat.s01.300.jpg [19] GV • UP INC. [21] Guido Veroi
Uliana Pernazza
sculptor
engraver
Vatican City (second series)
All denominations Euro.inscription.sculp.vat.s02.388.jpg D. LONGO Daniela Longo sculptor
1 cent Euro.inscription.engrv.vat.s02.001.jpg M.A.C. INC. [21] Maria Angela Cassol engraver
2 cent Euro.inscription.engrv.vat.s02.002.jpg LDS (stylised) INC. [21] Luciana De Simoni engraver
5 cent Euro.inscription.engrv.vat.s02.005.jpg ELF INC. [21] Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini engraver
10 cent Euro.inscription.engrv.vat.s02.010.jpg M.C.C. INC. [21] Maria Carmela Colaneri engraver
20 cent Euro.inscription.engrv.vat.s02.020.jpg M.A.C. INC. [21] Maria Angela Cassol engraver
50 cent Euro.inscription.engrv.vat.s02.050.jpg LDS (stylised) INC. [21] Luciana De Simoni engraver
1 euro Euro.inscription.engrv.vat.s02.100.jpg ELF INC. [21] Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini engraver
2 euro Euro.inscription.engrv.vat.s02.200.jpg M.C.C. INC. [21] Maria Carmela Colaneri engraver
Vatican City (third series)
All denominations Euro.inscription.sculp.vat.s03.388.jpg D.L. Daniela Longo sculptor
1 and 2 cent Euro.inscription.engrv.vat.s03.003.jpg LDS INC. [21] Luciana De Simoni engraver
5 cent Euro.inscription.engrv.vat.s03.005.jpg ELF INC. [21] Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini engraver
10 cent Euro.inscription.engrv.vat.s03.010.jpg M.C.C. INC. [21] Maria Carmela Colaneri engraver
20 and 50 cent Euro.inscription.engrv.vat.s03.070.jpg M.A.C. INC. [21] Maria Angela Cassol engraver
1 euro Euro.inscription.engrv.vat.s03.100.jpg ELF INC. [21] Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini engraver
2 euro Euro.inscription.engrv.vat.s03.200.jpg M.C.C. INC. [21] Maria Carmela Colaneri engraver

Designer, sculptor and engraver initials on €2 commemorative coins

Inscriptions of initials on €2 commemorative coins by year
CountryInscription imageInscription textNameTitle
2004
Finland 2euro.2004.finland.jpg M M Pertti Mäkinen
Raimo Makkonen
designer
mint master
GreeceKK
ΠΓ
Konstantinos Kazakos
Panagiotis Gravvalos
designer
Italy 2euro.2004.italy.jpg UP (stylised) Uliana Pernazza engraver
LuxembourgYGC (stylised) Yvette Gastauer-Claire sculptor
San Marino 2euro.2004.sanmarino.jpg E.L.F. Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini engraver
Vatican 2euro.2004.vatican.jpg
2euro.2004.vatican.inc.jpg [19]
VEROI
L.D.S. INC. [21]
Guido Veroi
Luciana De Simoni
designer
engraver
2005
Belgium 2euro.2005.belgium.jpg LL (stylised) Luc Luycx designer
Finland 2euro.2005.finland.jpg K Tapio Kettunen designer
Italy 2euro.2005.italy.jpg M.C.C. Maria Carmela Colaneri engraver
LuxembourgYGC (stylised)
PB (stylised)
Yvette Gastauer-Claire
Patrice Bernabei
sculptor
designer
San Marino 2euro.2005.sanmarino.jpg LDS (stylised) INC. [21] Luciana De Simoni engraver
Vatican 2euro.2005.vatican.jpg
2euro.2005.vatican.inc.jpg [19]
LONGO
ELF INC. [21]
Daniela Longo
Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini
designer
engraver
2006
Finland 2euro.2006.finland.jpg M (the two marks reflect the mirror motif of the coin) Raimo Makkonen mint master
Germany 2euro.2006.germany.jpg HH Heinz Hoyer designer
Italy 2euro.2006.italy.jpg M.C.C. Maria Carmela Colaneri engraver
San Marino 2euro.2006.sanmarino.jpg LDS (stylised) Luciana De Simoni engraver
Vatican 2euro.2006.vatican.jpg
2euro.2006.vatican.inc.jpg
O.ROSSI
MCC INC. [21]
Orietta Rossi
Maria Carmela Colaneri
designer
engraver
2007
Germany 2euro.2007.germany.jpg HH Heinz Hoyer designer
Monaco 2euro.2007.monaco.jpg R.B.BARON R. B. Baron designer
Portugal 2euro.2007.portugal.jpg [22] I Vilar (signature) Irene Vilar designer
San Marino 2euro.2007.sanmarino.jpg E.L.F. Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini engraver
Vatican 2euro.2007.vatican.jpg
2euro.2007.vatican.inc.jpg
LONGO
MCC INC. [21]
Daniela Longo
Maria Carmela Colaneri
designer
engraver
2008
Finland 2euro.2008.fin.sculp.jpg K Tapio Kettunen sculptor
Germany 2euro.2008.ger.initial.jpg OE (stylised) Erich Ott designer
Italy 2euro.2008.itl.sculp.jpg MCC Maria Carmela Colaneri engraver
PortugalEsc. J. DuarteJoão Duartesculptor
San Marino 2euro.2008.san.sculp.jpg [19] E.L.F. Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini engraver
Vatican 2euro.2008.vat.initial.jpg VEROI Guido Veroi engraver
2009
GermanyFB Friedrich Brenner sculptor
GreeceΓΣ Georgios Stamatopoulos sculptor
ItalyM.C.C. Maria Carmela Colaneri engraver
PortugalJ.AURÉLIOJosé Aurélioplastic artist
San MarinoA.M.Annalisa Masiniengraver
SlovakiaPKPavol Károlyengraver
VaticanO. ROSSI
M.C.C. INC.
Orietta Rossi
Maria Carmela Colaneri
designer
engraver
2010
GermanyBB Bodo Broschat engraver
GreeceΓΣ Georgios Stamatopoulos sculptor
ItalyC.M. Claudia Momoni engraver
PortugalJOSÉ CÂNDIDOJosé Cândidoengraver
San Marinom Roberto Mauri engraver
VaticanVEROI
ELF INC.
Guido Veroi
Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini
designer
engraver
2011
FinlandVHannu Veijalainenartist
GermanyHH Heinz Hoyer engraver
ItalyELF INC. Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini engraver
PortugalIC - FBIsabel Carriço and Fernando Brancodesigners
San MarinoC.M. Claudia Momoni engraver
SlovakiaMRMiroslav Rónaidesigner
VaticanO. ROSSI
M.C.C. INC.
Orietta Rossi
Maria Carmela Colaneri
designer
engraver
2012
FinlandTErja Tielinensculptor
GermanyΠ(stylised) Erich Ott engraver
ItalyM.C.C. Maria Carmela Colaneri engraver
PortugalJOSÉ DE GUIMARÃESJosé De Guimarãesdesigner
VaticanG. TITOTTO
LDS INC.
Gabriella Titotto
Luciana De Simoni
designer
engraver
2013
GermanyER (stylised)Eugen Ruhlengraver
GreeceΣtΑΜ (stylised) Georgios Stamatopoulos engraver
Italym (stylised)
MCC
Roberto Mauri
Maria Carmela Colaneri
engraver
engraver
NetherlandsKЯCL (stylised)
P
Claudia Linders and Roosje Klap
Pannos Goutzemisis
designers
PortugalHUGO MACIELHugo Macieldesigner
San MarinoMOMONI Claudia Momoni engraver
Slovakiamh (stylised)Miroslav Hricdesigner
VaticanP. DANIELE
M.C.C. INC.
Patrizio Daniele
Maria Carmela Colaneri
sculptor
engraver
2014
GermanyOE (stylised)Erich Ottengraver
GreeceMA (stylised)Maria Andonatouengraver
ItalyLDS (stylised)
C.M.
Luciana De Simoni
Claudia Momoni
engraver
engraver
NetherlandsPPannos Goutzemisisdesigner
PortugalJOSÉ TEIXEIRAJosé Teixeiradesigner
San MarinoMCC
UP (stylised)
Maria Carmela Colaneri
Uliana Pernazza
engraver
engraver
SlovakiaMP (stylised)Mária Poldaufovádesigner
VaticanG. TITOTTO
C.M. INC
Gabriella Titotto
Claudia Momoni
designer
engraver
2015
France.J (stylised) Joaquin Jimenez engraver
GermanyHH
BW
Heinz Hoyer
Bernd Wendhut
engraver
sculptor
GreeceΓΣ
ΣtΑΜ (stylised)
Georgios Stamatopoulos engraver
ItalyMGU
SP
Maria Grazia Urbani
Silvia Petrassi
engraver
engraver
MaltaNGBNoel Galea Basondesigner
PortugalA.M.
F Fonseca (signature)
António Marinho
Fernando Fonseca
designer
designer
San MarinoAM
ES
Annalisa Masini
Erik Spiekermann
engraver
designer
SlovakiaIŘ (stylised)Ivan Řehákdesigner
VaticanC. PRINCIPE
E.L.F. INC.
Chiara Principe
Ettore Lorenzo Frapiccini
designer
engraver
2016
FinlandKTapio Kettunensculptor
GermanyJT Jordi Truxa designer
GreeceΣtΑΜ (stylised) Georgios Stamatopoulos engraver
ItalyLDS (stylised) Luciana De Simoni engraver
C.M. Claudia Momoni engraver
MaltaNGBNoel Galea Basondesigner
PortugalJOANA VASCONCELOSJoana Vasconcelosdesigner
San MarinoMBMatt Bonaccorsiengraver
SlovakiaVP (stylised)Vladimír Pavlicadesigner
VaticanM. CRISCIOTTI
MOMONI INC.
Mariangela Crisciotti
Claudia Momoni
designer
engraver
D.LONGO
SP INC
Daniela Longo
Silvia Petrassi
designer
engraver
2017
France.J (stylised) Joaquin Jimenez designer
GermanyCh (stylised) František Chocola designer
GreeceΣtΑΜ (stylised) Georgios Stamatopoulos engraver
ItalyLDS (stylised) Luciana De Simoni engraver
C.M. Claudia Momoni engraver
MaltaNGBNoel Galea Basondesigner
PortugalLUIS FILIPE DE ABREULuis Filipe de Abreudesigner
San MarinoLDS (stylised) Luciana De Simoni designer
A
UP INC.
Andrew Lewis
Uliana Pernazza
designer
engraver
SlovakiaMP (stylised)Mária Poldaufovádesigner
VaticanO.ROSSI
SP INC. (stylised)
Orietta Rossi
Silvia Petrassi
designer
engraver
G.TITOTTO
MOMONI INC.
Gabriella Titotto
Claudia Momoni
designer
engraver
2018
BelgiumLL (stylised) Luc Luycx designer
France.J (stylised) Joaquin Jimenez designer
GermanyBB (stylised) Bodo Broschat designer
GreeceΣtΑΜ (stylised) Georgios Stamatopoulos engraver
ItalyUP (stylised) Uliana Pernazza engraver
SP (stylised) Silvia Petrassi engraver
LithuaniaJPJustas Petrassidesigner
MaltaNGBNoel Galea Basondesigner
PortugalEduardo AiresEduardo Airesdesigner
San MarinoLDS (stylised) Luciana De Simoni designer
A.M.Annalisa Masinidesigner
SlovakiaPK (stylised)Pavol Károlydesigner
VaticanD.LONGO
C.M. INC.
Daniela Longo
Claudia Momoni
designer
engraver
P. DANIELE
V.D.S. INC.
Patrizio Daniele
Valerio De Seta
designer
engraver
2019
BelgiumLL (stylised) Luc Luycx designer
France.J (stylised) Joaquin Jimenez designer
GermanyMO (stylised)Michael Ottopainter
GreeceΣtΑΜ (stylised) Georgios Stamatopoulos engraver
ItalyM.A.C. Maria Angela Cassol engraver
MaltaNGBNoel Galea Basondesigner
PortugalL.F. ABREULuis Filipe de Abreudesigner
pomar (signature)Júlio Pomardesigner
San MarinoUP (stylised) Uliana Pernazza designer
M.A.C. Maria Angela Cassol designer
SlovakiaPV (stylised)Peter Valachdesigner
VaticanD.LONGO
INC. A.M.
Daniela Longo
Annalisa Masini
designer
engraver
FUSCO
CASSOL INC.
Daniela Fusco
Maria Angela Cassol
designer
engraver
2020
BelgiumLL (stylised) Luc Luycx designer
France.J (stylised) Joaquin Jimenez designer
GermanyJT (stylised) Jordi Truxa designer
BB (stylised) Bodo Broschat designer
GreeceΣtΑΜ (stylised) Georgios Stamatopoulos engraver
ItalyLDS (stylised) Luciana De Simoni engraver
MaltaNGBNoel Galea Basondesigner
PortugalANDRÉ LETRIAAndré Letriadesigner
Esc. J.J. BRITO José João de Brito engraver
San MarinoC.M. Claudia Momoni designer
A.M.Annalisa Masinidesigner
SlovakiaPV (stylised)Peter Valachdesigner
VaticanD.LONGO
SP. A.M.
Daniela Longo
Silvia Petrassi
designer
engraver
G.TITOTTO
M.A.C. INC.
Gabriella Titotto
Maria Angela Cassol
designer
engraver
2021
BelgiumLL (stylised) Luc Luycx designer
France.J (stylised) Joaquin Jimenez designer
GermanyMO (stylised)Michael Ottopainter
GreeceΣtΑΜ (stylised) Georgios Stamatopoulos engraver
ItalyUP (stylised) Uliana Pernazza engraver
C.M. Claudia Momoni engraver
MaltaNGBNoel Galea Basondesigner
MAF (stylised)Maria Anna Frisonedesigner
PortugalEDUARDO AIRESEduardo Airesdesigner
F.PROVIDÊNCIAFrancisco Providênciasculptor
San MarinoSP (stylised) Claudia Momoni designer
VdSValerio De Setadesigner
SlovakiaBR (stylised)Branislav Rónaidesigner
VaticanCP (stylised)
UP. INC.
Chiara Principe
Uliana Pernazza
designer
engraver
P.DANIELE
A.M. INC.
Patrizio Daniele
Annalisa Masini
designer
engraver

€2 edge inscriptions

With each member of the Eurozone comes a set of individual coin designs. Included in the individuality of the national obverse face of the euro coins, whose design is left to the member states, is the edge of the €2 coin. Each member was allowed to design a unique inscription that would appear on the €2 coin's edge. Some of these edge inscriptions are carried over from the coins of the yielded currencies in circulation prior to the introduction of the euro.

Standard issue €2 edge inscriptions

Standard €2 edge inscriptions by country
CountryEdge inscriptionDescription
Austria Edge austria s01.jpg The sequence "2 EURO ★★★" repeated four times alternately upright and inverted.
Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain 2EUR edge inv2.svg 2EUR edge inv2.svg 2EUR edge inv2.svg The sequence "2 ★ ★" repeated six times alternately upright and inverted.
Croatia 2 euro edge inscription Croatia.svg "O LIJEPA O DRAGA O SLATKA SLOBODO" ("Oh beautiful, oh dear, oh sweet freedom" in Croatian, from Dubravka ).
Cyprus Edge cyprus s01.jpg The sequence "2 ΕΥΡΩ 2 EURO" repeated twice (2 EURO in Greek and Turkish).
Estonia Estonian 2 euro coin edge (condensed).svg "EESTI ○" (ESTONIA in Estonian) upright and inverted.
Finland Edge finland s01.jpg "SUOMI FINLAND" (FINLAND in Finnish and Swedish, the two official languages in Finland), followed by three lion's heads.
Germany Edge germany s01.jpg "EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT" (UNITY AND JUSTICE AND FREEDOM in German), Germany's national motto and the beginning of Germany's national anthem, followed by the Federal Eagle.
Greece Edge greece s01.jpg "ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ ★" (ELLINIKI DIMOKRATIA ★: "HELLENIC REPUBLIC" in Greek).
Italy, San Marino, Vatican Edge com1 s01.jpg The sequence "2 ★" repeated six times alternately upright and inverted.
Latvia 2 eiro LV josta.jpg "DIEVS ★ SVĒTĪ ★ LATVIJU ★" ( GOD BLESS LATVIA )
Lithuania 2 euro edge inscription Lithuania.svg "LAISVĖ ★ VIENYBĖ ★ GEROVĖ ★" ("Freedom, Unity, Prosperity" in Lithuanian)
Malta Edge malta s01.jpg The sequence "2✠✠" repeated six times alternately upright and inverted
Netherlands Edge nederland s01.jpg "GOD ★ ZIJ ★ MET ★ ONS ★" (GOD BE WITH US in Dutch). The same lettering had been applied to the larger denomination guilder coins.
Portugal Edge portugal s01.jpg The edge design features the seven castles and five coats of arms also found on the national side, all equally spaced.
Slovakia Edge.slovakia.s01.jpg "SLOVENSKÁ REPUBLIKA" (SLOVAK REPUBLIC in Slovak) with two stars and linden leaf between.
Slovenia Edge slovenia s01.jpg "SLOVENIJA •" (SLOVENIA in Slovene)

Commemorative issue €2 edge inscriptions

Generally the edge inscription of a €2 commemorative coin does not change from the standard issue counterpart. There are a few exceptions.

Commemorative €2 edge inscriptions by issue date
Year and CountryEdge inscriptionDescription
Finland (2005) Inscription.finland.2 euro commemorative.2005.jpg "YK 1945–2005 FN" ("UN 1945–2005 UN" in Finnish and Swedish, the official languages of Finland) followed by three lion's heads. "YK" stands for "Yhdistyneet Kansakunnat" and "FN" stands for "Förenta Nationerna". Issued to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and Finland's 50 year membership in the UN. [23]
Finland (2007) Edge.finland.tor.jpg "ROMFÖRDRAGET 50 ÅR EUROPA" ("TREATY OF ROME 50 YEARS EUROPE" in Swedish, one of the official languages of Finland. The same words in Finnish - "ROOMAN SOPIMUS 50 V EUROOPPA" - appear on the face of this coin). Issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome. [24]
Finland (2009)"TALOUS-JA RAHALIITTO EMU" ("ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION EMU" in Finnish, one of the official languages of Finland. Issued to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union.

In 2008, a European Commission's recommendation was approved in which the following was stated: "The legend engraved on the edge of the commemorative euro coins intended for circulation must be the same as that on the normal euro coins intended for circulation." [25] In 2012, a European Regulation was approved in which, with a binding nature, the previous restriction was specified. [26]

Notes

  1. "OJ 2005/ L 186/1" (PDF). Official Journal of the European Union . 18 July 2005.
  2. Bank, European Central (2015-06-25). "Belgium". European Central Bank. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
  3. As applied to the 2008 amended design onward.
  4. 1 2 As applied to the 2007 amended design onward.
  5. Bank, European Central (2015-06-25). "Greece". European Central Bank. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Monnaie de Paris "About our mint master's mark"". Archived from the original on 2008-05-05. Retrieved 2007-10-23.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Coins minted in Finland have "FI", "F" or "S" as the mint mark.
  8. "Lesens, Serge".
  9. "2012-2016) Cat (Bernard Gillard coin catalogue - Buying - Selling - Collecting".
  10. "Wapenschild van Herzele op euromunten". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). 2016-09-09. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  11. "Giovanni Van de Velde".
  12. 1 2 "Gijsbertus Willem de Wit (1926-2018)". 11 December 2018.
  13. "Joaquin Jimenez-nomme-graveur-general-des-monnaies". 21 July 2020.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 The star represents a temporary director.
  15. "Onthulling nieuw Muntmeesterteken".
  16. There are no Monegasque coins issued into general circulation with this mint master mark on them. Coins minted from 2004–2006 were minted in proof quality for collector sets only and none were produced in 2007.
  17. The span between 1999 and 2003 marks the first time in Dutch currency history where five different mint master's marks were used in consecutive years.
  18. "Onthulling nieuw Muntmeesterteken".
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 The image has been rotated 90 degrees clockwise for presentation purposes.
  20. In 1898, Oscar Roty created the famous character of La Semeuse (the Sower) for the silver coins of the 3rd Republic. The 'Sower' is represented on the 10, 20 and 50 cent French euro coins. The original design of that character is attributed to him in this inscription.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 INC is the Italian abbreviation for 'engraver'.
  22. The image has been rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise for presentation purposes.
  23. 2005 commemorative euro coins from the European Commission
  24. Celebrating 50 years of Europe with the euro from the European Commission
  25. COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation
  26. COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) No 566/2012 of 18 June 2012 amending Regulation (EC) No 975/98 on denominations and technical specifications of euro coins intended for circulation

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References