New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

(2019/C 409/07)

National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Estonia

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: Estonia

Subject of commemoration: The centenary of the University of Tartu

Description of the design: The coin will mark the centenary of the University of Tartu as being established as the first Estonian language university. It was founded in 1632 by Swedish King Gustav II Adolf and is one of the oldest universities in northern and eastern Europe. In 1919 it became the first Estonian language university.

The design depicts a motif of the main building of the university. It also bears the inscriptions ‘RAHVUSÜLIKOOL 100’(National University 100) and ‘UNIVERSITAS TARTUENSIS’, the year ‘1632’, the issuing country ‘EESTI’ and the year of issuance ‘2019’.

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

Estimated number of coins to be issued: 1 000 000

Date of issue: November 2019

(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).