The Common European Side

The common sides of the eight euro coins show variaties of the map of Europe. The design was created by the Belgian designer Luc Luycx. In 2007, a new design for the 10, 20 and 50 cent as well as for the 1 and 2 euro coins was introduced which shows a map of Europe as a continent rather than just the individual member states as previously. The new faces were also designed by Luc Luycx.


1, 2 and 5 Cent

The design of the 1, 2 and 5 cent coins symbolises Europe’s place in the world. The numeral, representing the value of the coin, appears on the left-hand side of the common face. Horizontally, to the upper right of the numeral, appear the words ‘EURO CENT’, the latter placed below the former. The word ‘CENT’ is written in bigger letters with a major capital ‘C’. Below the numeral, six straight lines run diagonally between the lower left-hand side and the upper right-hand side of the face. There are 12 stars superimposed on these lines, one just before the ends of each line. On the lower right-hand side of the face, the globe is superimposed on the mid-section of these lines. The European Union is highlighted on the globe. The initials ‘LL’ of the engraver appear under the last star on the far right hand edge of the coin.


  • 1 Cent – 2002

    Design since 1999 

  • 2 Cent – 2002

    Design since 1999 

  • 5 Cent – 2002

    Design since 1999 


  • 1 Cent – Edge

     

  • 2 Cent – Edge

     

  • 5 Cent – Edge

     




 1 cent2 cent5 cent
 
Shape:roundroundround
Edge:smoothsmooth with a groovesmooth
Diameter (mm):16.2518.7521.25
Edge height (mm):1.671.671.67
Weight (g):2.303.063.92
Colour:redredred
Composition:copper-covered steelcopper-covered steelcopper-covered steel

Special feature:

 

  1. The 2 cent coins have a groove around the edge.

 

 

For visually impaired:

 

  1. The values are prominently displayed on the common, European face of the coins.

  2. Different coin shapes and edges make it easier to differentiate the values.

  3. The size of each coin is clearly different.

  4. The thickness of each coin varies according to value – the thicker the coin, the higher the value.


10, 20 and 50 Cent

Design 1999 – 2007: On the 10, 20 and 50 cent coins, the numeral, representing the value of the coin, appears on the right-hand side. Horizontally, below the numeral, appear the words ‘EURO CENT’, the latter placed below the former. The word ‘CENT’ is written in bigger letters with a major capital ‘C’. Six straight lines run vertically between the lower and upper left hand side of the face. There are 12 stars superimposed on these lines, one just before the ends of each line. Superimposed on the mid- and upper-section of these lines, is a representation of the European Union, on which the 15 Member States are shown separately. The initials ‘LL’ of the engraver appear between the numeral and the edge of the coin, on the right-hand side.

 

Design since 2007 (2008): On 7 June 2005 the Council decided that the common sides of the 10, 20 and 50 cent coins should be modified so that all Member States of the European Union will in the future be represented. The new common sides will be applied as from 2007. The Member States adopting the euro from 2007 onwards will only issue euro coins with the new common sides. The Member States having adopted the euro before may also start to apply the new common sides as from 2007 for new coin production, and will in any event switch to the new common side by 2008 at the latest. On the new 10, 20 and 50 cent coins, the European continent is represented, superimposed on the mid- and upper-section of the six lines that run vertically between the lower and upper left hand side of the face.


  • 10 Cent – 2002

    Design 1999–2007 

  • 20 Cent – 2002

    Design 1999–2007 

  • 50 Cent – 2002

    Design 1999–2007 


  • 10 Cent – 2007

    Design since 2007 (2008) 

  • 20 Cent – 2007

    Design since 2007 (2008) 

  • 50 Cent – 2007

    Design since 2007 (2008) 


  • 10 Cent – Edge

     

  • 20 Cent – Edge

     

  • 50 Cent – Edge

     




 10 cent20 cent50 cent
 
Shape:roundSpanish flowerround
Edge:coarse milledplaincoarse milled
Diameter (mm):19.7522.2524.25
Edge height (mm):1.932.142.38
Weight (g):4.105.747.80
Colour:yellowyellowyellow
Composition:Nordic GoldNordic GoldNordic Gold

Special features:

 

  1. The material of the 10, 20 and 50 cent coins is a unique alloy (Nordic gold), which is difficult to melt and used exclusively for coins.

  2. The edge of the 10 and 50 cent coins has fine scallops. The edge of the 20 cent coins has 7 indents ("Spanish flower").       

 

For visually impaired:

 

  1. The values are prominently displayed on the common, European face of the coins.

  2. Different coin shapes and edges make it easier to differentiate the values.

  3. The size of each coin is clearly different.

  4. The thickness of each coin varies according to value – the thicker the coin, the higher the value. 


1 and 2 Euro

Design 1999 – 2007: On the 1 and 2 euro coins, the numeral, representing the value of the coin, appears on the left hand side. Six straight lines run vertically between the lower and upper right hand side of the face. There are 12 stars superimposed on these lines, one just before the ends of each line. On the right hand side of the face is a representation of the European Union, where the borders between Member States are marked with a thin line. The right hand part of the representation is superimposed on the mid-section of the lines. The word ‘EURO’ is superimposed horizontally across the middle of the right hand side of the face. Under the ‘O’ of EURO, the initials ‘LL’ of the engraver appear near the right hand edge of the coin.

 

Design since 2007 (2008): On 7 June 2005 the Council decided that the common sides of the 1 and 2 euro coins should be modified so that all Member States of the European Union will in the future be represented. The new common sides will be applied as from 2007. The Member States adopting the euro from 2007 onwards will only issue euro coins with the new common sides. The Member States having adopted the euro before may also start to apply the new common sides as from 2007 for new coin production, and will in any event switch to the new common side by 2008 at the latest. On the new 1 and 2 euro coins, the European continent is represented on the right hand side of the face.


  • 1 Euro – 2002

    Design 1999–2007 

  • 2 Euro – 2002

    Design 1999–2007 

  •  



  • 1 Euro – 2007

    Design since 2007 (2008) 

  • 2 Euro – 2007

    Design since 2007 (2008) 

  •  



  • 1 Euro – Edge

     

  • 2 Euro – Edge

     

  •  



 1 euro2 euro
 
Shape:roundround
Edge:interrupted millededge lettering
Diameter (mm):23.2525.75
Edge height (mm):2.332.20
Weight (g):7.508.50
Colour:external part: yellowexternal part: white
internal part: whiteinternal part: yellow
Composition:external part: nickel-brassexternal part: copper-nickel
internal part: three-layers (copper-nickel, nickel, copper-nickel)internal part: three-layers (nickel-brass, nickel, nickel-brass)

Special features:

 

  1. Sophisticated bi-metal and sandwich technologies have been incorporated into the 1 and 2 euro coins.

  2. Due to the specific composition of metals, the 1 and 2 euro coins have special magnetic properties enhancing their secure use for vending machines.
  3. The edge of the 1 euro coins has interrupted mills (three sections milled, three sections plain). The edge of the 2 euro coins have embossed letters (different for each country) embedded in mills, all around the edge.

 

For visually impaired:

 

  1. The values are prominently displayed on the common, European face of the coins.

  2. Different coin shapes and edges make it easier to differentiate the values.

  3. The size of each coin is clearly different.

  4. The 1 and 2 euro coins have two colours.