New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

(2015/C 143/05)

Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the European Union providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

Issuing country : Germany

Subject of commemoration : Hessen from the ‘Lander’ series

Description of the design : The design depicts a classic perspective on St. Paul’s Church in Frankfurt (the ‘Paulskirche’ was the seat of Germany’s first freely elected legislative body in 1849 and is regarded as the cradle of German democracy) and is therefore the perspective possessing the greatest recognition value. The design incisively brings out the tension between the dominant tower and the elliptical structure of the church. The slightly exaggerated flight of steps has an inviting quality while simultaneously offering support to the subjacent inscription ‘HESSEN’ (the Federal State of Hessen in which St. Paul’s Church is situated).The inner part also features the year ‘2015’ and the mint mark of the respective mint (‘A’, ‘D’, ‘F’, ‘G’ or ‘J’) at the left side as well as the issuing country’s indication ‘D’ and the engraver’s mark (the initials ‘HH’ — Heinz Hoyer) at the right side.

The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Number of coins to be issued : 30 million

Date of issue :

(1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.

(2)  See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52).