This past Tuesday, 7 July 2026, the first striking of Luxembourg’s new 2-euro circulation coin officially began. For the occasion, Grand Duke Guillaume travelled in person to the French mint Monnaie de Paris in Pessac to give the official go-ahead for the first strike. The Italian coin designer Chiara Principe, who created the new effigy, was also present at the ceremony.

The change on the reverse of the coins follows a strict constitutional requirement of the country. Because Luxembourg’s coins must always bear the portrait of the reigning head of state, Guillaume’s accession to the throne marks the end of an era of almost 25 years. Since 2002, the face of his father, Grand Duke Henri, had graced Luxembourg’s cash.

In designing the new coin image, Luxembourg draws on a classic numismatic tradition: reversing the direction of the ruler’s gaze. Where Grand Duke Henri faces right on the old euro coins, Grand Duke Guillaume turns to the viewer’s left on the new strikes. The finely worked portrait comes from the hand of Chiara Principe. For the artist, the first striking brought to a close an intense project of more than a year. She had spent many months meticulously studying the Grand Duke’s features in order to model his portrait in relief. A particularly emotional moment of the ceremony was the personal encounter between the designer and Grand Duke Guillaume, who expressed his deep appreciation for the successful result.

Collectors and citizens will not have to wait much longer: from next Monday, 13 July 2026, the new pieces will gradually be released into general circulation by the Banque centrale du Luxembourg. An exchange of old coins is not necessary, incidentally – all previous euro coins bearing the effigy of Grand Duke Henri remain legal tender without limit.

Alongside the new regular circulation coin, two new Luxembourg 2-euro commemorative coins for 2026 were struck in Pessac at the same time. The coins marking the accession to the throne and 45th birthday of Grand Duke Guillaume, as well as the strike marking 40 years since the award of the International Charlemagne Prize to the people of Luxembourg, will likewise be available in the trade shortly. Their official issue date was given as early July.

Source: Banque centrale du Luxembourg / Monnaie de Paris