Table of Contents:
National sides and issuance of euro coins
Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about National sides and issuance of euro coins
Topics
These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.
Economic and monetary affairs > Practical aspects of introducing the euro
National sides and issuance of euro coins
Document or Iniciative
Commission Recommendation 2009/23/EC of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation [Official Journal L 9 of 14.1.2009].
Summary
The Commission makes recommendations to Member States participating in the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) concerning the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation after approval from the Council. These recommendations apply to national sides and edge letterings of both regular and commemorative euro coins intended for circulation.
The common sides of the euro coins bear the name of the currency and the denomination of the coin.
National sides of coins intended for circulation
In compliance with these common guidelines, national sides bear the name of the State issuing the coin, but do not give an indication of its denomination, or the name of the currency (except in the case of the use of a non-Latin alphabet). The design chosen to decorate the national side is surrounded by the twelve stars of the European flag. This design should not be modified, except in cases where the Head of State referred to on a coin changes. Issuing Member States are, however, allowed to update their national sides of euro coins in order to fully comply with this Recommendation.
The edge lettering of 2-euro coins can bear an indication of the denomination and/or the term “euro”.
Coins are to be put into circulation at face value. A minor proportion of them, intended for collectors, may be sold at a higher price.
Commemorative 2-euro coins
The design on the national side may be used to commemorate subjects of major national or European relevance. These commemorative coins are also intended for circulation.
When this type of coin is issued, certain rules should be respected:
- only the 2-euro coin should be used;
- ceilings established by the State and for the year should limit the volume of coins issued;
- the total number of commemorative coins should not exceed 0.1 % of the 2-euro coins put into circulation during the previous year in all participating States. Alternatively 5 % of the total number of 2-euro coins brought into circulation by the issuing Member State concerned up to the beginning of the year preceding the year of issuance of the commemorative coin. If a global subject is commemorated, the ceiling may be increased to 2 % of the total number of 2-euro coins in circulation in all participating Member States;
- the edge lettering should be the same as on regular coins.
Information procedure
The issuing Member State sends designs to the Commission six months before the issue date. The Commission can then ensure that the guidelines contained in this Recommendation have been respected.
The Commission informs participating States via the Economic and Financial Committee’s relevant subcommittee. If and when the Commission considers that the guidelines of this Recommendation have not been complied with, the subcommittee will decide whether to approve the design.
Relevant information on euro coin designs will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Context
Recommendation 2003/734/EC and Recommendation 2005/491/EC are repealed and replaced by the new Recommendation. They also concerned the modification and bringing into circulation of national sides of euro coins.