It's now official: the themes of Andorra's two 2-euro commemorative coins for 2026 have been finally confirmed. At the same time, the Principality has also released images of the actual coins. This means that the last designs of the entire 2026 euro year are most likely settled as well. Collectors can look forward to two motifs deeply rooted in the country's culture, issued in the usual small mintage.
The microstate of Andorra, whose coins are hardly ever found in circulation because of their low mintages and are highly sought after among collectors, is staying true to its course: the new issues put the spotlight on the country's rich history, architecture and living traditions.
The first commemorative coin is dedicated to one of the country's most important spiritual landmarks: the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the new Sanctuary of Meritxell ("50è aniversari de la inauguració del Santuari nou de Meritxell"). After a devastating fire in September 1972 almost completely destroyed the historic Romanesque church, the new sanctuary, inaugurated on 8 September 1976, was designed by the famous architect Ricardo Bofill. It is home to Andorra's patron saint. The detailed coin design shows the modern church complex with its striking arches. Above the building, the anniversary number "50" stands out in large figures, flanked by the inscription "ANIVERSARI" and the year "2026". Along the upper inner edge of the coin, the occasion of the issue, "SANTUARI NOU DE MERITXELL", runs in an arc, while the country name "ANDORRA" is struck along the lower edge.
The year's second 2-euro commemorative coin takes up a living piece of Andorra's agricultural and cultural history: transhumance, the seasonal droving of livestock ("La transhumància"). The centuries-old practice of moving herds back and forth between the valleys and the high pastures of the Pyrenees in step with the seasons still shapes the country's culture deeply today and is recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. The richly detailed design shows an Andorran shepherd with a crook in the left foreground, with his dog standing faithfully at his side to his left. To the right of the shepherd, a woolly sheep is depicted in profile, clearly wearing a bell around its neck. In the background, a suggested path with a rustic stone wall can be made out, along with the delicate silhouettes of two more farm animals – a horse and a cow – symbolising the variety of traditional droving. The whole scene is set in a finely struck mountain landscape of the Pyrenees. The country name "ANDORRA" curves across the upper part, while the year "2026" is placed within the silhouette of the cow.
Both coins will be issued on 23 November, each in an official coincard in brilliant uncirculated quality. The mintage is strictly limited at 60,000 pieces for each of the two issues.
