2-euro joint issues

The field of 2-euro commemorative coins is remarkably diverse. Yet one particular group holds a special place within it: the joint issues marking outstanding European occasions. Unlike the regular 2-euro commemoratives, which every euro country issues on its own for purely national events, these special strikes share one design across the whole of Europe. All participating member states of the eurozone strike a coin with an identical motif for a historic, political or social milestone in European history. The coins differ only in the country name and the wording of the occasion, which appear on the coin in the respective national language. Because such issues come along only every few years, with long gaps between the individual series, collectors look forward to every new joint issue with great anticipation.

The 2-euro joint issues were born in March 2007: to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, the very first of these series was ceremonially released. Because these special strikes are reserved exclusively for major pan-European milestones, the European institutions (the Council of the EU and the European Commission), together with the governments of the participating euro states, agree on a new joint project only at irregular intervals of several years. The following issues have appeared so far or have already been officially announced – detailed facts, exact mintage figures and images of all national variants can be found on the respective subpages:

2-euro joint issue 2029 – design not yet published

2029: 25 Years of EU Enlargement

The sixth 2-euro joint issue is already casting its shadow: in 2029 the European Union celebrates the 25th anniversary of the 2004 eastward enlargement. Since even more states now use the euro as their currency, this issue will bring the widest range of country versions so far. A total of 21 countries will issue the joint coin together in 2029.

To this joint issue · 21 countries

2-euro joint issue 2022 – 35 years of the Erasmus programme, winning design

2022: 35 Years of the Erasmus Programme

The fifth joint special strike put European education centre stage in 2022. The occasion was the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus programme, which since 1987 has enabled countless students to spend time studying abroad. The striking design combines the portrait of the famous scholar Erasmus of Rotterdam with the number “35” and a web of lines symbolising modern exchange.

To this joint issue · 19 countries

2-euro joint issue 2015 – 30 years of the European flag, winning design

2015: 30 Years of the European Flag

The fourth 2-euro joint issue was dedicated in 2015 to the thirtieth anniversary of the European flag as the official emblem of the European institutions. Originally created by the Council of Europe back in 1955, the striking blue flag with its circle of twelve golden stars was only adopted as a binding symbol by the heads of state and government of the then European Community (EC) in June 1985. The joint commemorative coin honours this milestone, as the flag has since been regarded as the world’s best-known emblem of European identity, unity and the shared values of the member states.

To this joint issue · 19 countries

2-euro joint issue 2012 – 10 years of euro cash, winning design

2012: 10 Years of Euro Cash

A joint issue that stirs memories: in 2012 the eurozone looked back on its first decade with the common cash in people’s wallets. When euro notes and coins were introduced in 2002, the new currency started out in 12 euro countries. By the tenth anniversary in 2012 the eurozone had grown so much that the third 2-euro joint issue was released by 17 countries at once – and even San Marino issued a coin with the same design.

To this joint issue · 18 countries

2-euro joint issue 2009 – 10 years of Economic and Monetary Union, winning design

2009: 10 Years of Economic and Monetary Union

The second joint issue recalled in 2009 the official birth of the euro. Ten years earlier, on 1 January 1999, the common currency was introduced first as electronic book money in banking. This historic step sealed the final stage of European integration and created the basis for the later circulation of cash. The historic 2-euro coin was issued in 2009 by 16 euro countries.

To this joint issue · 16 countries

2-euro joint issue 2007 – 50 years of the Treaty of Rome, winning design

2007: 50 Years of the Treaty of Rome

This historic emission launched the series of 2-euro joint issues: on 25 March 2007, 13 countries issued the first joint commemorative coin simultaneously. The occasion was the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957. With the Rome agreements, the six partner states Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands founded the European Economic Community (EEC). In doing so they laid the foundation for today’s European Union and the European single market.

To this joint issue · 13 countries