New national side of euro coins intended for circulation
(2023/C 14/04)
National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by France
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: France
Subject of commemoration: Olympic Games 2024
Description of the design: One hundred years after the 1924 Olympic Games, France is once again hosting the Summer Games, which will take place in Paris in 2024, an event with international echo whose intensity gradually builds in the years leading up to the event.
On the occasion of the countdown to the Olympic Games, Monnaie de Paris wishes to celebrate the road to the Games. It therefore plans to issue each year 2022, 2023 and 2024 a commemorative two-euro coin with an original face celebrating the Games, through the heritage of France and Paris.
The design represents the genius, a national figure and icon of French numismatics. It is depicted practicing discus throwing in an ‘ancient’ way in reference to the Olympic Games of the Antique era. His silhouette blends with the one of the Arc de Triomphe, a key element of Parisian heritage. It forms a common axis with this emblematic monument of victory. In the background, an athletics track in which the emblem of Paris 2024 is inserted on the right side, is represented. The year date, the mention RF and the mintmarks are inserted under the arch and around the foot of the Arc.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 260 000
Date of issue: September 2022
(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).