Denominations and technical specifications of Euro coins

The Regulation defines the denominations and technical specifications of euro coins. One of the purposes of the technical specifications is to reduce the risk of fraud.

ACT

Council Regulation (EC) No 975/98 of 3 May 1998 on denominations and technical specifications of euro coins intended for circulation [See amending acts].

SUMMARY

This Regulation defines the denominations and technical specifications of euro coins. The rules concerning the technical specifications for euro banknotes are defined in Decision ECB/2003/4.

Define the denominations and technical specifications of euro coins

The first series of euro coins includes 8 denominations: 0.01 euro, 0.02 euro, 0.05 euro, 0.10 euro, 0.20 euro, 0.50 euro, 1 euro, 2 euro. Each coin has a common European side and a national side individual to each Member State. The national side of coins intended for circulation is composed of 12 stars completely encircling the national design, including the year of issue and the name of the issuing Member State. The designs used for the national sides on regular coins can only be changed once every fifteen years.

The technical specificities of these coins are as follows:

2 euro coin

diameter (in mm): 25.75
weight (g): 8.5
colour: external part white, internal part yellow
edge: edge lettering, fine milled

1 euro coin

diameter (mm): 23.25
weight (g): 7.5
colour: external part yellow, internal part white
edge: interrupted milled

0.50 euro coin

diameter (mm): 24.25
weight (g): 7.8
colour: yellow
edge: fine scallops

0.20 euro coin

diameter (mm): 22.25
weight (g): 5.7
colour: yellow
edge: plain

0.10 euro coin

diameter (mm): 19.75
weight (g): 4.1
colour: yellow
edge: fine scallops

0.05 euro coin

diameter (mm): 21.25
weight (g): 3.9
colour: red
edge: smooth

0.02 euro coin

diameter (mm): 18.75
weight (g): 3
colour: red
edge: smooth with a groove

0.01 euro coin

diameter (mm): 16.25
weight (g): 2.3
colour: red
edge: smooth

Following Regulation (EC) No 423/1999, the weight of the 50 cent coin was thus increased from 7g to 7.8g. The "coarse milled" edges previously chosen for the 0.50 and 0.10 euro coins were replaced by "shaped edges with fine scallops". The Regulation also determines the metallic structure of the euro coins, for example with regard to the use of nickel.

Commemorative coins

Commemorative coins have a different national design from those of regular coins and are only used for commemorations of significant national or European importance. The edge lettering on commemorative coins is identical to those on regular coins. Only the face value of 2 euros is allowed for commemorate coins.

References

Act	Entry into force	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No 975/98	1.1.1999	-	OJ L 139 of 11.5.1998

Amending act(s)	Entry into force	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No 423/1999	1.1.1999	-	OJ L 52 of 27.2.1999
Regulation (EU) No 566/2012	19.7.2012	-	OJ L 169 of 29.6.2.12

Successive amendments and corrections to Regulation (EC) No 975/95 have been incorporated in the basic text. This consolidated version is for reference purpose only.

RELATED ACTS

Regulation (EU) No 1210/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2010 concerning authentication of euro coins and handling of euro coins unfit for circulation [Official Journal L339 of 22.12.2010].

This Regulation establishes the rules concerning the authentication and the submissions of euro coins for circulation. In particular, professionals must use machines certified by the EU in order to authenticate the coins. Furthermore, damaged or unfit coins for circulation are sent to the competent national authorities.

See also