EURO
European Union standard euro coins
Common sides of euro coins
For the coins of 1, 2 and 5 Euro cent red coloured coppered steel was chosen. This material is relatively cheap to produce and can be processed in the coin press without any problems. Moreover, the final coin is well protected against oxidation due to the protective copper layer. Unfortunately, the appearance of the coppered coins changes greatly during use due to contact with fingers. The red coloured gloss makes room for a deep brown colour that gives the design of the artist extra depth. Coins that circulate in payment remain expressive. Coins that are laid away shall however slowly and evenly discolour.
Copper also has the unique characteristic of being a naturally antibacterial material. This hygienic aspect of copper is very well known and explains many of copper's other uses, such as doorknobs and handles in antiseptic environments like hospitals. Copper is fully recyclable, which in this time of increasing environmental consciousness, made it even more of a perfect choice for the currency. It is well known that the remelting and reuse of copper has been practiced since the Bronze Age. It is estimated that more than 80% of all the copper ever mined is still in use today and the value of scrap material, at the end of its useful life, will guarantee copper's future recycling.
No further changes will be made to the common side of the coins until 2007 at the earliest. Member states must keep their national reverse for five years. There are some exceptions, though. If the head of state of a country dies or abdicates, coins depicting the new one may be minted. There are no plans to move to common reverse issues in the nearly future.
Even though the Euro was introduced as payment means in 2002, the production of Euro coins already started in 1999. Because the coins are provided with the year in which they are produced, the issue of Euro started with the year 1999. Years before the introduction of the Euro the coin masters of the European Union were intensively involved with the technical specifications of the new coins. Based on extensive research they made suggestions concerning the composition of the Euro coin series and the metals, dimensions, weight and edges to be selected. For these choices the requirement that coins should be easily distinguishable for blind people, and for use in machines was taken into account.
Coppered steel
1 euro cents 1 and 2 series
The common sides of the coins were designed by Mr Luc Luycx of the Royal Belgian Mint. They show images of the European Union or of Europe and symbolise the unity of the EU.
The 5, 2 and 1 cent coins show Europe in relation to Africa and Asia on a globe.
Diameter: 16.25mm.
Thickness: 1.67mm.
Weight: 2.30g.
Shape: round.
Colour: red.
Composition: copper-covered steel.
Edge: smooth
2 euro cents 1 an 2 series
The common sides of the coins were designed by Mr Luc Luycx of the Royal Belgian Mint. They show images of the European Union or of Europe and symbolise the unity of the EU.
The 5, 2 and 1 cent coins show Europe in relation to Africa and Asia on a globe.
Diameter: 18.75mm.
Thickness: 1.67mm.
Weight: 3.06g.
Shape: round.
Colour: red.
Composition: copper-covered steel.
Edge: smooth with a groove.
5 euro cents 1 an 2 series
The common sides of the coins were designed by Mr Luc Luycx of the Royal Belgian Mint. They show images of the European Union or of Europe and symbolise the unity of the EU.
The 5, 2 and 1 cent coins show Europe in relation to Africa and Asia on a globe.
Diameter: 21.25mm.
Thickness: 1.67mm.
Weight: 3.92g.
Shape: round.
Colour: red.
Composition: copper-covered steel.
Edge: smooth.
50 euro cents 1 and 2 series
The common sides of the coins were designed by Mr Luc Luycx of the Royal Belgian Mint. They show images of the European Union or of Europe and symbolise the unity of the EU.
€2 and €1, 50, 20 and 10 cent coins show either the European Union before its enlargement on 1 May 2004 or, as of 1 January 2007, a geographical image of Europe. Coins from Italy (including San Marino and the Vatican City), Austria and Portugal show the more recent design only if they are dated “2008” or later.
Diameter: 24.25mm.
Thickness: 2.38mm.
Weight: 7.80g.
Shape: round.
Colour: yellow.
Composition: Nordic gold.
Edge: shaped with fine scallops.
10 euro cents 1 and 2 series
The common sides of the coins were designed by Mr Luc Luycx of the Royal Belgian Mint. They show images of the European Union or of Europe and symbolise the unity of the EU.
€2 and €1, 50, 20 and 10 cent coins show either the European Union before its enlargement on 1 May 2004 or, as of 1 January 2007, a geographical image of Europe. Coins from Italy (including San Marino and the Vatican City), Austria and Portugal show the more recent design only if they are dated “2008” or later.
Diameter: 19.75mm. Thickness: 1.93mm.
Weight: 4.10g.
Shape: round.
Colour: yellow.
Composition: Nordic gold.
Edge: shaped with fine scallops.
20 euro cents 1 and 2 series
The common sides of the coins were designed by Mr Luc Luycx of the Royal Belgian Mint. They show images of the European Union or of Europe and symbolise the unity of the EU.
€2 and €1, 50, 20 and 10 cent coins show either the European Union before its enlargement on 1 May 2004 or, as of 1 January 2007, a geographical image of Europe. Coins from Italy (including San Marino and the Vatican City), Austria and Portugal show the more recent design only if they are dated “2008” or later.
Diameter: 22.25mm.
Thickness: 2.14mm.
Weight: 5.74g.
Shape: Spanish flower shape.
Colour: yellow.
Composition: Nordic gold.
Edge: plain.
For the choice of coin metals for the eight Euro denominations a plea was made to avoid the application of nickel in so far as possible in connection with commonly occurring nickel allergies. Before the introduction of the Euro series, around 75% of the coins in the European Union included nickel. By reducing the use of nickel to the coins of 1 and 2 Euro, now only 8% of all Euro coins contain nickel. For the three middle denominations, 10, 20 and 50 Euro cents, a nickel free metal sort with a golden colour was sought after. The choice finally fell on a relatively new material: Nordic Gold.
Nordic Gold was originally developed more than 10 years ago for the Swedish Mint and is today being used for the Swedish 10 Crown coin. It is a brass alloy, made up from more than 89% of copper, 5% aluminium and 1% zinc. By adding aluminium the material gets its pretty golden shine. For normal daily use the shine remains and the coins do not become mat. In contrast to brass or bronze Nordic Gold is difficult to produce, meaning that the risk of counterfeit is reduced. Moreover there is great skill and technical knowledge required to make Nordic Gold into a coin. Because of the difficult processability the alloy is not used for industrial applications.
Nordic Gold
Bi-colour
When determining the coin metals for the highest denominations of 1 and 2 Euro, much attention was paid to the safety marks. Considering the value of these coins it is important to consider that they are difficult to forge. The choice finally landed on coin plates that are made up of several metal alloys. These materials consist of a core of a certain metal and a ring of another metal, both with a different coloration. Coins of this composition are called 'bi-colour coins'. The production of bi-colour coins are a technical innovation of the last decades.
1 euro: 1 and 2 series
The common sides of the coins were designed by Mr Luc Luycx of the Royal Belgian Mint. They show images of the European Union or of Europe and symbolise the unity of the EU.
€2 and €1, 50, 20 and 10 cent coins show either the European Union before its enlargement on 1 May 2004 or, as of 1 January 2007, a geographical image of Europe. Coins from Italy (including San Marino and the Vatican City), Austria and Portugal show the more recent design only if they are dated “2008” or later.
Diameter: 23.25mm.
Thickness: 2.33mm.
Weight: 7.50g.
Shape: round.
Colour: outer part yellow/inner white.
Composition: outer nickel-brass/inner three layered.
Edge: interrupted/milled.
50 euro cents 1 and 2 series
The common sides of the coins were designed by Mr Luc Luycx of the Royal Belgian Mint. They show images of the European Union or of Europe and symbolise the unity of the EU.
€2 and €1, 50, 20 and 10 cent coins show either the European Union before its enlargement on 1 May 2004 or, as of 1 January 2007, a geographical image of Europe. Coins from Italy (including San Marino and the Vatican City), Austria and Portugal show the more recent design only if they are dated “2008” or later.
Diameter: 25.75mm.
Thickness: 2.20mm.
Weight: 8.50g.
Shape: round.
Colour: outer white/inner yellow.
Composition: outer copper-nickel/inner three layered.
Edge: edge lettering/fine milled.
2 Euro edge specifications
Standard €2 edge inscriptions by country
