The design of Croatia's second 2 euro commemorative coin for 2026, dedicated to the historic city of Vukovar as part of the national commemorative coin series "Croatian Towns," was unexpectedly unveiled today by the Croatian National Bank, with the coin also being officially issued at the same time. With this numismatic tribute, the country turns the spotlight on a city that holds a very special, identity-shaping significance for the entire Republic of Croatia due to its turbulent history, deeply rooted culture, and immense symbolic power.
The design, created by Croatian academic sculptor Duje Matetić, combines the city's identity and the soul of its landscape through two central motifs: the striking Vukovar Water Tower, topped with the Croatian flag, stands as a proud symbol of the city's historic resistance, defense, and endurance. Opposite it, the Danube flows through the design as the city's lifeline and defining natural beauty. Alongside the artist's initials "MD" and the twelve stars of the European flag on the outer ring, the coin bears the inscription "GRAD VUKOVAR" (City of Vukovar), the country name "HRVATSKA," and the year "2026." As with all Croatian 2 euro coins, the edge lettering reads "O LIJEPA O DRAGA O SLATKA SLOBODO" ("O beautiful, o dear, o sweet freedom"), a line taken from Ivan Gundulić's famous ode to liberty.
Vukovar's landmark water tower was severely damaged during the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s, yet despite the massive shelling it endured, it never collapsed. Today it stands as one of the country's most important memorials and a symbol, recognized worldwide, of the city's indomitable spirit of resistance. Vukovar itself carries immense historical and emotional weight for the entire Republic as a place of shared remembrance and national unity. Incidentally, this is not the first time the city has been honored on a piece of currency: the baroque Eltz Castle in Vukovar already graced the reverse of the former Croatian 20-kuna banknote, before the country adopted the euro as its official currency in 2023.
Issuance of the 2 euro commemorative coin begins today, Monday, September 21, 2026, with the coins initially entering circulation exclusively through regular payment transactions. The total mintage is capped at 500,000 pieces. Collectors hoping for the more exclusive finishes, however, will need to be patient a little longer: alongside the 490,000 circulation pieces, coincards in brilliant uncirculated quality with a mintage of 5,000, as well as a further 5,000 pieces in proof quality presented in a case, will not be released until November 9, 2026, and are not yet available on today's issue date.
Source: Hrvatska narodna banka