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

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: Croatia

Subject of commemoration: Varaždin (Stari grad Varaždin – the Old Town of Varaždin)

Description of the design: The design features the keep of the Varaždin Castle (12th – 16th century). Varaždin is first mentioned in 1181. Having suffered massive casualties in the Tatar invasion of 1242, it was built as a royal fortress, which would become known as the Old Town. Its appearance has changed through the centuries: from a strong medieval fortress surrounded by water-filled moats to the main fortress and armoury of Slavonian Military Border and Varaždin military headquarters and a beautiful Renaissance castle. At present, the Old Town is the most important and magnificent historical building of the City of Varaždin, a highest-category monument of the Croatian architectural heritage.

The coin also features the name of the issuing country ‘HRVATSKA’ (Croatia), the year of issuance ‘2024’, and the words ‘STARI GRAD VARAŽDIN’ (the Old Town of Varaždin), which are all inscribed circularly at the top and the bottom of the design.

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

Estimated number of coins to be issued: 200 000

Date of issue: June 2024

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(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).