€2 commemorative coins - 2019

Feature: 600 years of the Council of the Land

Description: The design commemorates the 600th anniversary of the creation of the Consell de la Terra (Council of the Land). It was a representative body created in 1419, predecessor of the Consell General (General Council), the parliament of Andorra. The design depicts the upper part of the entry portal of Casa de la Vall (the parliament’s old seat), with the coat of arms of the country and a fragment of a window above it. Two compact groups of human faces on both sides of the design, as if they were stones of the building, mean the cohesion of Andorrans as a social community united in history, institutions and values.
The inscription ‘600 ANYS DEL CONSELL DE LA TERRA’ (600 years of the Council of the Land) at the top, and the name of the issuing country ‘ANDORRA’ and both year dates ‘1419’ and ‘2019’ in the middle of the number ‘600’ below complete the design. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 60 000 coins

Issuing date: 4th quarter 2019

Feature: The centenary of the University of Tartu

Description: 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 bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 1 000 000 coins

Issuing date: November 2019

Feature: The 100th anniversary of the foundation of the University of Ljubljana

Description: The University of Ljubljana’s logo is the core of the design. On the left side the University’s façade above the solid square of its logo is replaced with the inscription ‘100 LET UNIVERZE V LJUBLJANI’. The design’s background is textured in order to achieve a larger impact of the inscription with the solid square. On the lower part of the right side is the inscription ‘SLOVENIJA 2019’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 1 000 000 coins

Issuing date: 4th quarter 2019

Feature: Sutartinės (Lithuanian multipart songs — inscribed on the Unesco Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity)

Description: The design features linear motifs, symbolising polyphonic melodies of the unique Lithuanian heritage — folk songs sutartinės. The lines are widening and narrowing again, spinning into a swirl decorated with various miniature geometric and nature figures. The inscription of the issuing country ‘LIETUVA’, as well as the inscription ‘SUTARTINĖS’ (Lithuanian multipart songs) and the year of issuance ‘2019’ are depicted in semicircle. The mark of the Lithuanian Mint is featured as well. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 500 000 coins

Issuing date: 3rd quarter 2019

Feature: Samogitia (Lithuanian Ethnographic Regions)

Description: The design features a bear standing on its hind legs, with a chain collar on the neck. It has been depicted on the coat of arms of Samogitia since the 16th century. The bear is situated against a shield topped with a crown, which is held by an armoured soldier (a symbol of courage, sacrifice and patriotism) and a goddess with an anchor (a symbol of hope). Below is a Latin inscription ‘PATRIA UNA’ (one fatherland). The design is surrounded by the inscriptions ‘LIETUVA’ (Lithuania) and ‘ŽEMAITIJA’ (Samogitia), the year of issuance ‘2019’ and the mintmark of the Lithuanian Mint. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 500 000 coins

Issuing date: 3rd quarter 2019

Feature: 600 years of the discovery of the Madeira Archipelago, by the Portuguese navigators Bartolomeu Perestrelo and Tristão Vaz

Description: The event, known as the first Portuguese territorial discovery, marked a historic milestone in the consolidation of Portugal as a maritime power and gave rise to the Portuguese Age of Discoveries (1418-1522). The design bears the Madeira Archipelago and the island of Porto Santo. In semicircle are the inscriptions ‘600 anos do Descobrimento da Madeira e do Porto Santo’ and ‘PORTUGAL 2019’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 500 000 coins

Issuing date: 2nd half 2019

Feature: 500 years of the first circumnavigation organised and led by the Portuguese explorer and navigator Fernão De Magalhães

Description: The Spanish expedition to the East Indies began in 1519 and ended in 1522, resulting in the first circumnavigation of the Earth. The design bears the effigy of Fernão de Magalhães. At the right side, in semicircle, is the inscription ‘CIRCUM NAVEGAÇÃO’ (circumnavigation) and underneath the inscription ‘1519 FERNÃO DE MAGALHÃES’. At the left side, in semicircle, is the year of issuance ‘2019’ and the name of the issuing country ‘PORTUGAL’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 750 000 coins

Issuing date: 2nd half 2019

Feature: Nature and Environment

Description: The design was created by a school student and bears a fruit tree and a stylised representation of the sun. At the bottom left is the name of the issuing country ‘MALTA’ and underneath the year of issuance ‘2019’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 320 000 coins

Issuing date: 21 October 2019

Feature: Sistine Chapel — End of the restoration 1994-2019

Description: The design features the Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel. At the left, in semi-circle is the inscription of the issuing country ‘CITTÀ DEL VATICANO’. At the right, in semi-circle, are the inscriptions ‘CAPPELLA SISTINA — FINE DEI RESTAURI’ and ‘1994-2019’. At the right side is the mintmark ‘R’ and at the bottom the name of the artist ‘D. LONGO’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 91 000 coins

Issuing date: 1 October 2019

Feature: 30 years of the fall of the Berlin Wall

Description: Thirty years ago, the Berlin Wall fell. Beyond the impact on German society, it was an event with global consequences. On November 9th, 1989, this occasion marks the end of the cold war and announces an appeasement after several decades of international tensions. At the European level, it is the first step towards the reunification of one of the leading countries of the European Union. This major change was after materialised by the Moscow Treaty of which France was a signatory. The European Union welcomed then 16 million new citizens in just one year; almost the structural and economic effect of welcoming a new country!
The design represents the Berlin Wall, opened in its centre, letting the doves (allegories of the international appeasement), and the jubilant crowd pass. In the background, the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin’s symbol par excellence, is represented. The mention ‘30 ans de la chute du Mur de Berlin/30 Jahre Mauerfall’ is inscribed on one side of the wall. At the bottom of the design is the year of issuance ‘2019’ and at its right the indication of the issuing country ‘RF’ (standing for République française). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 10 million coins

Issuing date: October 2019

Feature: The 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall

Description: Thirty years ago, the Berlin Wall fell. Beyond the impact on German society, it was an event with global consequences. On 9 November 1989, this occasion marks the end of the cold war and announces an appeasement after several decades of international tensions. At the European level, it is the first step towards the reunification of one of the leading countries of the European Union. This major change was later materialised by the Moscow Treaty of which France was a signatory. The European Union welcomed then 16 million new citizens in just one year; almost the structural and economic effect of welcoming a new country! The design represents the Berlin Wall, opened in its centre, letting the doves (allegories of the international appeasement), and the jubilant crowd pass. In the background, the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin’s symbol par excellence, is represented. The mention ‘30 Jahre Mauerfall’ (30 years of the fall of the Berlin Wall) is inscribed on one side of the wall. At the bottom of the design is the year of issuance ‘2019’ and at its right the indication of the issuing country ‘D’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 30 000 000 coins

Issuing date: September / October 2019

Feature: The Constitution Act of Finland

Description: The design shows three circular fields that are joined together at the centre. The three fields represent the trias politica, separation of powers into three different branches: a legislative, an executive, and a judiciary power. The year of issuance ‘2019’ is placed centre left. The indication of the issuing country ‘FI’ and the mint mark are placed bottom right. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 500 000 coins

Issuing date: September / October 2019

Feature: The 100th anniversary of the universal suffrage

Description: The design shows on the left hand the effigy of His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke Henri, and on the right hand a ballot box where a ballot paper is being inserted by a hand. At the bottom is the name of the issuing country ‘LUXEMBOURG’. At the top, in semi-circle form is the inscription ‘Centenaire du suffrage universel’ (Centenary of the universal franchise) and underneath the inscription ‘1919 - 2019’, the latter being the year of issuance. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 500 000 coins

Issuing date: September 2019

Feature: The rising sun

Description: The coin is dedicated to the history of the Coat of arms of Latvia and features the motif of a rising sun. This motif was originally part of the design proposal for the symbol of the autonomous Latvia, created by artist Ansis Cīrulis in 1917. Later on this motif emerged as one of the basic elements of the Coat of arms of Latvia. The motif of a rising sun has also been used by artist Ansis Cīrulis before, in the design of the Latvian riflemen’s badge and his other artworks. After the foundation of the Republic of Latvia in 1918 variations of the motif of a rising sun appeared in all design proposals for the Coat of arms of the new State. The Coat of arms of Latvia was officially adopted in 1921. The design shows the motif of the rising sun, with stylised letters B and L (an abbreviation from the words ‘Brīvā Latvija’ (Free Latvia)) in the centre. It also bears an inscription ‘UZLECOŠĀ SAULE’ (The rising sun), the name of the issuing country ‘LATVIJA’ and the year of issuance ‘2019’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 307 000 coins

Issuing date: Third quarter 2019

Feature: 550th anniversary of the death of Filippo Lippi

Description: The centre of the coin features the Madonna and Child, a detail from Filippo Lippi’s ‘Madonna and Child with Two Angels’; above are the inscriptions ‘SAN MARINO’ and ‘FILIPPO LIPPI’ and on the left are the year ‘1469’ and the letter ‘R’ identifying the Mint of Rome. On the bottom left are the initials of the artist Maria Angela Cassol ‘M.A.C.’, and in the centre the year ‘2019’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 60 500 coins

Issuing date: September 2019

Feature: Unesco World Heritage Site – pre-historic temples of Ta’ Haġrat

Description: The design features Ta’ Haġrat, a prehistoric temple located in Mġarr, a small village in the northwest of Malta. The temple consists of two structures the largest of which dates to around 3 600-3 200 BC. This temple has a monumental doorway, which is its most distinctive characteristic. The inscription ‘TA’HAĠRAT TEMPLES 3600-3000 BC’ appears at the top of the design. At the bottom are the name of the issuing country ‘MALTA’ and the year of issuance ‘2019’. The coin's outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European flag.

Issuing volume: 320 000 coins

Issuing date: July 2019

Feature: Song Festival’s 150-year anniversary

Description: The design is inspired by the Song Celebration procession, which moves like the waves on the sea with cheers of pride and joy and a panoply of national dress. The design unites music, national costumes, and the various sites of the great and powerful Song Celebration of the nation by the sea. The design also features the first notes of the Estonian national anthem and, at the bottom, the words ‘Laulupidu 150’ (Song Celebration 150). At the top is the year of issuance ‘2019’ and underneath the name of the issuing country ‘EESTI’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins

Issuing date: June 2019

Feature: Andreas Kalvos — 150 years in memoriam

Description: Born in Zante, Andreas Kalvos (1792-1869) is one the most important modern Greek poets. Combining a solid neo-classicist education with the high ideals of Romanticism and archaicising with demotic Greek, he expressed both the revolutionary ideas of his time and his personal vision. The national side of the coin features a portrait of Andreas Kalvos. Inscribed along the inner edge at the left is the name ‘ANDREAS KALVOS 1792-1869’, along with the minting year and a palmette (mintmark of the Greek Mint); inscribed along the inner edge at the right is the wording ‘HELLENIC REPUBLIC’. Also visible at the right is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 750 000 coins

Issuing date: June 2019

Feature: Centenary of the birth of Manolis Andronicos

Description: Manolis Andronicos (1919-1992) was one of Greece’s greatest archaeologists. His discovery of the royal tombs at Vergina in 1977 brought to light exquisite finds that attest to the splendour of ancient Macedonian civilisation. The design features a portrait of Manolis Andronicos. Inscribed along the inner edge at left is the name ‘MANOLIS ANDRONICOS 1919-1992’, along with the minting year and a palmette (mintmark of the Greek Mint); inscribed along the inner edge at right is the wording ‘HELLENIC REPUBLIC’. Also visible at the right is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 750 000 coins

Issuing date: June 2019

Feature: The 200th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Prince Honoré V

Description: The design shows the effigy of Prince Honoré V. At the left is the inscription ‘HONORÉ V’ and at the right the name of the issuing country ‘MONACO’. At the bottom, in semi-circle, is the inscription ‘1819 — Avènement — 2019’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 15 000 coins

Issuing date: June 2019

Feature: The 60th anniversary of Asterix

Description: For 60 years, Asterix has been a true icon of the French culture. Created in 1959 by scenarist René Goscinny and cartoonist Albert Uderzo, this character embodies the Frenchman with his smartness and sharpness through the Gallic identity. Apart from its artistic line, depicting contemporary society with humour has brought Asterix a great international fame for many years. Since its inception, it has been translated into all the languages of the European Union meeting a huge success. The reputation of Asterix is for example as strong in Germany as in France. It has also been very well established in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Scandinavia for many years. Beyond the French icon, Asterix has become a true figure of the European 9th art. The design represents Asterix in profile wearing his famous winged helmet. He is surrounded by laurels and Roman inscriptions referring to his 60 years. At the top is the inscription ‘ASTÉRIX’ and underneath the indication of the issuing country ‘RF’ (standing for République française). The year of issuance ‘2019’ is inscribed at the bottom, together with the French mintmark and mintmaster mark. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 310 000 coins

Issuing date: May 2019

Feature: The 100th anniversary of the death of Milan Rastislav Štefánik

Description: The design features a portrait of Milan Rastislav Štefánik, one of the most important figures in Slovak history. To the left of the portrait are the dates of Štefánik’s birth ‘1880’ and death ‘1919’, one above the other. At the left side of the inner part of the coin, in semi-circle, are the name ‘MILAN RASTISLAV ŠTEFÁNIK’ and the name of the issuing country ‘SLOVENSKO’. The year of issuance ‘2019’ is between the portrait and the right side. Below the year are the stylised letters ‘PV’, the initials of the designer, Peter Valach, and below them is the mint mark of the Kremnica Mint (Mincovňa Kremnica), consisting of the letters ‘MK’ placed between two dies. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins

Issuing date: April 2019

Feature: 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci

Description: The centre of the coin bears an angel painted by Leonardo da Vinci in ‘The Baptism of Christ’; at the edge, on the left is the inscription ‘SAN MARINO’, on the right the inscription ‘1519 Leonardo 2019’; on the left are the initials of the artist Uliana Pernazza ‘UP’ and on the bottom right, the letter ‘R’ identifying the Mint of Rome. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 60 500 coins

Issuing date: April 2019

Feature: Ski World Cup Finals 2019

Description: The 2019 Ski World Cup Finals were held in the Principality of Andorra from 11 to 17 March 2019. With this event, the Principality of Andorra hosted one of the most important alpine skiing competitions in the world. For the Principality of Andorra, it was the most prestigious winter sport event that has ever been held in the country, and a turning point in the country’s trajectory as a sport destination. The design of the coin shows in the foreground a skier sliding down a slope. In the background, four curved lines, from the official logo of these Ski World Cup Finals, represent the slopes where the competition took place. Some snowflakes complete the design together with the inscription ‘FINALS DE LA COPA DEL MÓN D’ESQUÍ ANDORRA 2019’ (Andorra 2019 Ski World Cup Finals). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 60 000 coins

Issuing date: March 2019

Feature: 90th anniversary of the foundation of the Vatican City State

Description: The design features a portrait of Pope Pius XI (Sovereign of the State in 1929) and the Lateran in Rome. At the top, from left to right, in semi-circle is the inscription of the issuing country ‘STATO DELLA CITTÀ DEL VATICANO’. At the bottom are the years ‘1929’ and ‘2019’ and underneath the name of the artist ‘FUSCO’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 91 000 coins

Issuing date: March 2019

Feature: Unesco’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites — the old town of Avila and its churches outside the walls

Description: The city of Avila has preserved the austerity and purity of the mediaeval style, surrounded by the most complete walls of Spain. The design reproduces at the centre a detail of the Avila wall. At the top side circular ascending the word ‘ESPAÑA’, the year of issuance ‘2019’ and the mint mark. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins

Issuing date: February 2019

Feature: 100 years since the establishment of the Dáil Éireann (Irish Parliament)

Description: The design bears the first sitting of Dáil Éireann in the Round Room. The Governance of the Irish nation began on the 21st of January and the sitting was conducted entirely in the Irish language to mark the symbolic nature of the meeting. The large Round Room of the Mansion House arcs above the vast congregation of the nation’s first elected Dáil. The words ‘An Chéad Dáil’, at the centre of the design, together with the year ‘1919’ at the top, are inscribed in a traditional uncial font. At the bottom are inscribed the name of the country and the year of issuance ‘ÉIRE 2019’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 1 million coins

Issuing date: January 2019

Feature: The 70th anniversary of the Bundesrat’s founding

Description: The design shows a highly detailed and finely sculpted rendering of the Bundesrat building. The upper half of the coin’s inner section includes the mint mark of the respective mint (‘A’, ‘D’, ‘F’, ‘G’ or ‘J’), the artist’s initials and the year ‘2019’. The lower half of the coin’s inner section contains the inscription ‘BUNDESRAT’ and Germany’s issuing country code ‘D’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 30 million coins

Issuing date: January 2019

Feature: The 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci

Description: The design shows a detail of the painting ‘Dama con l'ermellino’ (Lady with an Ermine) by Leonardo da Vinci (National Museum in Krakow). On the left, the inscription ‘LEONARDO’, the initials of the author Maria Angela Cassol ‘MAC’ and the logo ‘RI’ acronym of the Italian Republic; on the right, ‘R’, mintmark of the Mint of Rome and the dates ‘1519-2019’, respectively the year of Leonardo’s death and the year of the coin issuance. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 3 million coins

Issuing date: January 2019

Feature: The 100th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Grand Duchess Charlotte

Description: The design shows on the left hand the effigy of His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke Henri, and on the right hand the effigy of the Grand Duchess Charlotte. At the bottom is the name of the issuing country ‘LUXEMBOURG’ and underneath the year of issuance ‘2019’. At the top, in semi-circle around the effigies is the inscription ‘Centenaire de l’accession au trône de la Grande-Duchesse Charlotte’ (Centenary of the accession to the throne of Grand Duchess Charlotte). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 500 000 coins

Issuing date: January 2019

Feature: The 450th anniversary of the death of Pieter Bruegel the Elder

Description: The inner part of the piece bears the portrait of the famous Belgian artist Pieter Bruegel the Elder, together with a painting on an easel. Above this, you can find the name P. BRUEGEL, the years 1569, with a subtle obelisk referring to the year of death, and 2019, the year of issuance. As the Royal Dutch Mint will strike the coins, the mintmark of Utrecht, a mercury staff is located on the left together with the Belgian mint director mintmark, the coat of arms of the municipality Herzele, the country code BE. The initials LL referring to the designer of the coin, Mr Luc Luycx, are located on the right. Finally, around the edge of the inner part small dots form a circle. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 155 000 coins

Issuing date: January 2019

Feature: 25th anniversary of the European Monetary Institute (EMI)

Description: The inner part of the piece bears the portrait Alexandre Lamfalussy, the first president of the EMI, on the right with his name below. On the left-hand side, the abbreviation EMI stands central with the year 1994 above, referring to date of the establishment of the Institute and the designation of Lamfalussy as its first president. Below ‘EMI’, several coins are depicted falling on each other with the inscription €, ‘ECU’ and ‘BEF’ from top to bottom. Given the fact that this is a Belgian issuance, we have chosen for ‘BEF’, the abbreviation of our former national currency. The purpose of this representation is to symbolise the transition of the national currencies to an European single currency, the euro as the EMI’s main focus was on establishing the European System of Central Banks, including the ECB and the new currency On the upper part of the left side of the coin is an inscription ‘European Monetary Institute’. As the Royal Dutch Mint will strike the coins, the mintmark of Utrecht, a mercury staff is located on the left with the Belgian mint director mintmark, the coat of arms of the municipality Herzele. The country code BE and the year mark 2019 are located on the bottom. The initials LL referring to the designer of the coin, Mr Luc Luycx, are inscribed on the right. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Issuing volume: 155 000 coins

Issuing date: January 2019