10 Years of Euro Banknotes and Coins

The euro has become a major force in Europe and around the world, establishing itself as a global player in the international monetary system. The motifs arranged around the euro sign symbolise the currency's significance for ordinary citizens, the financial sector (the ECB tower), trade (ships), industry (factories), energy, and research and development (wind turbines). The designer Helmut Andexlinger's initials appear beneath the ECB tower. The names of the issuing states in their national languages are struck centrally above the design; the years 2002–2012 below.

San Marino unofficially took part in the third joint issue of the European Union. In addition to all 17 eurozone states, the country – the only micro-state to do so – also issued a 2-euro commemorative coin with the same design on the anniversary date of 1 January 2012. The coins differ only in the legend, which appears in the respective national language. Although San Marino issued the coin with the same design, it is not officially considered part of the joint issue.

For San Marino, the introduction of the euro in 2002 marked a significant step: the microstate, entirely enclosed by Italy, had previously used the Italian lira and adopted the euro under a monetary agreement with the EU. Although not an EU member, San Marino is part of the eurozone and issues its own euro coins — a distinctive feature that sets the country apart numismatically from other euro states. The euro thus not only replaced a currency but also cemented the microstate's economic ties to the European single market, with which nearly all of its foreign trade is conducted.

In the ten years since its cash introduction, the euro has developed into one of the most significant currencies in the international financial system. Measured by its share of foreign exchange reserves and trading volume, it ranks as the world's second most important reserve currency. During this decade, the eurozone grew from twelve to seventeen member states, while the European Central Bank expanded its role as the monetary authority for around 330 million people. For smaller states like San Marino, the monetary union meant stability and predictability in exchange with neighbouring countries. To mark the tenth anniversary of euro cash, all euro states issued a joint commemorative coin with an identical design in 2012 — San Marino, one of the few non-EU states in the eurozone, took part.