New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

2012/C 10/02

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

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 Community 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: Bayern from the ‘Lander’-series

Description of the design: The commemorative ‘Bavaria’ was designed by Erich Ott and shows the most famous view of Neuschwanstein Castle. The design shows the view from the east as visitors see it during their ascent to the castle, with the gatehouse in the foreground and the medieval-style towers and turrets. The panoramic mountain situated behind the castle is well captured, as the site of the castle on a cliff overlooking the romantic Pöllatschlucht. The name ‘BAYERN’ links the depicted construction ‘Neuschwanstein Castle’ with the state. The mintmark of the respective mint (A, D, F, G or J) is located in the right central core area and the initials of the artist in the left central core area.

The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European Union flag. Between the stars, at the bottom, the year ‘2012’ and at the top the indication of the issuing country ‘D’.

Number of coins to be issued: 30 million

Date of issue: January 2012

(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).