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БългарскиReverse
Obverse
Malta · 10 years of euro cash
Issue date30 Mar 2012
Total mintage500,000
EU maximum700,000
Editions1
Edge lettering2 ★ ★ × 6, alternating upright/inverted
InscriptionMALTA / 2002 / 2012
DesignerHelmut Andexlinger
mintKoninklijke Nederlandse Munt, Utrecht
Issue occasion
The joint commemorative coin commemorates the tenth anniversary of the introduction of the euro. At its centre is the euro sign as a symbol of its significance in the international monetary system. The surrounding depictions of people, the ECB tower, ships, factories and wind turbines refer to the financial world, trade, industry, the energy sector, as well as research and development.
The design
The euro sign in the inner part of the coin illustrates that the euro has become an exceptionally important factor in Europe and worldwide and has developed into a global player in the international monetary system over the last ten years. The design elements arranged around the euro sign symbolise the importance of the euro for people, the financial world (ECB Tower), trade (ships), industry (factories), the energy sector, and research and development (wind turbines). The artist’s initials “AH” appear beneath the image of ECB Tower. The names of the issuing countries in their national languages are centred above the design, with the years 2002-2012 engraved below.
The outer coin ring depicts the twelve stars of the European flag.
The outer coin ring depicts the twelve stars of the European flag.
Background on the topic
The euro emerged in the course of the European Economic and Monetary Union. The legal foundations were established by the Maastricht Treaty, which entered into force in 1993. Prerequisites for participation included requirements concerning price stability, public debt and public finances. Monetary policy was transferred to the European System of Central Banks; the European Central Bank began its work in 1998.
The euro was introduced as book money as early as 1 January 1999. Exchange rates of the participating national currencies were fixed irrevocably, and bank transfers and financial transactions could thereafter be conducted in euros. Banknotes and coins, however, did not enter circulation until 1 January 2002. During a brief transitional period, the previous means of payment were withdrawn. Among others, the Deutsche Mark, the French franc, the Italian lira and the Dutch guilder thus disappeared from everyday payment transactions. In Belgium, the euro replaced the Belgian franc.
The single currency was intended to eliminate exchange-rate risks and conversion costs within the currency area and to complement the common internal market. At the same time, a national element was retained on the coins: One side is the same in all euro countries, while the other is designed by the respective issuing state. Despite these different national sides, the coins are legal tender throughout the euro area.
Common 2-euro issues are a special form of commemorating themes that concern the entire currency area. Previously, common issues had already been released for the anniversary of the Treaties of Rome and for the Economic and Monetary Union. The 2012 issue also fell within a period in which the European sovereign-debt and banking crisis was a major political concern for the stability of the monetary union.
The design emerged from a Europe-wide design procedure. A panel of experts selected a shortlist, after which a public online vote was held. As a result, the issue was not only coordinated among governments but was also linked to a participatory process involving the public.
The euro was introduced as book money as early as 1 January 1999. Exchange rates of the participating national currencies were fixed irrevocably, and bank transfers and financial transactions could thereafter be conducted in euros. Banknotes and coins, however, did not enter circulation until 1 January 2002. During a brief transitional period, the previous means of payment were withdrawn. Among others, the Deutsche Mark, the French franc, the Italian lira and the Dutch guilder thus disappeared from everyday payment transactions. In Belgium, the euro replaced the Belgian franc.
The single currency was intended to eliminate exchange-rate risks and conversion costs within the currency area and to complement the common internal market. At the same time, a national element was retained on the coins: One side is the same in all euro countries, while the other is designed by the respective issuing state. Despite these different national sides, the coins are legal tender throughout the euro area.
Common 2-euro issues are a special form of commemorating themes that concern the entire currency area. Previously, common issues had already been released for the anniversary of the Treaties of Rome and for the Economic and Monetary Union. The 2012 issue also fell within a period in which the European sovereign-debt and banking crisis was a major political concern for the stability of the monetary union.
The design emerged from a Europe-wide design procedure. A panel of experts selected a shortlist, after which a public online vote was held. As a result, the issue was not only coordinated among governments but was also linked to a participatory process involving the public.
Interesting Facts
Unlike all other 2-euro coins from Malta since 2008, Malta’s two 2-euro joint issues from 2009 and 2012 do not bear the usual edge lettering, consisting of “2 ✠✠ × 6, alternating upright/inverted”, but rather “2 ★ ★ × 6, alternating upright/inverted”.
eBay price analysis
For this issue, there is a price history based on actual eBay sales – with median, range and number of sales
View price analysis2 Euro BU
- Mintage
- 500,000
- Market price
- €9.90
- Edge lettering
- 2 ★ ★ × 6, alternating upright/inverted
Mintage by issue type
BU
500,000