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CC 115 2012
Coin set
Proof
Coin set proof
Netherlands · 10 years of euro cash
Mintage5,000
Issue price€62.50
Issue date13 Feb 2012
PackagingCoin set
Edge letteringGOD ★ ZIJ ★ MET ★ ONS ★
Market price€55.00
Issue occasion
The occasion is the tenth anniversary of the introduction of the euro. At the centre of the common design is the euro sign, surrounded by people, the ECB Tower, ships, factories and wind turbines as symbols of the financial world, trade, industry, energy, and research and development. The years “2002-2012” appear below the design; on the Luxembourg issue, the portrait of the Grand Duke is additionally depicted as a latent image.
The design
The euro sign in the coin’s inner section 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 below the image of the ECB tower. The names of the issuing countries in their national languages are centred above the design, with the years 2002-2012 inscribed below.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.
Background on the topic
Strictly speaking, the anniversary refers to the introduction of euro cash. The euro had already existed as book money and a common unit of account since 1 January 1999. Exchange rates of the participating national currencies were irrevocably fixed at that time, and monetary policy and financial markets switched to the new currency. Banknotes and coins, however, did not enter circulation until 1 January 2002.
Initially, twelve countries took part in this cash changeover. Within short transition periods, euro banknotes and coins replaced national means of payment such as the Deutsche Mark, the French franc, the Italian lira and the Spanish peseta. For banks, retailers, public administrations and the population, this involved extensive logistical changes. Existing cash holdings had to be withdrawn, new banknotes and coins distributed, vending and payment machines adapted, and prices displayed in both currencies.
The euro was created במסגרת the European Economic and Monetary Union. Its political and legal foundations were established above all by the Treaty of Maastricht, which entered into force in 1993. Participation was subject to requirements concerning, among other things, price stability, the budgetary position and exchange rates. Monetary policy for the euro area was taken over by the European System of Central Banks under the leadership of the European Central Bank. Since the introduction of euro cash, further EU member states have joined the euro area; this is why countries that did not yet have euro cash as their currency in 2002 also participated in the 2012 joint issue.
The coin belongs to the joint issues in which the participating countries use the same basic design. The design was not determined solely by the authorities: following an open design competition, a panel of experts selected five proposals. A public online vote then made the final decision. The winning design was created by Helmut Andexlinger, an engraver at Münze Österreich.
The tenth anniversary was an appropriate occasion for a joint issue because the introduction of cash had, for the first time, become directly visible in everyday payment transactions and tangible to all residents of the euro area. The joint issue combined this shared theme with the coin sides that continued to be the responsibility of the individual countries.
Initially, twelve countries took part in this cash changeover. Within short transition periods, euro banknotes and coins replaced national means of payment such as the Deutsche Mark, the French franc, the Italian lira and the Spanish peseta. For banks, retailers, public administrations and the population, this involved extensive logistical changes. Existing cash holdings had to be withdrawn, new banknotes and coins distributed, vending and payment machines adapted, and prices displayed in both currencies.
The euro was created במסגרת the European Economic and Monetary Union. Its political and legal foundations were established above all by the Treaty of Maastricht, which entered into force in 1993. Participation was subject to requirements concerning, among other things, price stability, the budgetary position and exchange rates. Monetary policy for the euro area was taken over by the European System of Central Banks under the leadership of the European Central Bank. Since the introduction of euro cash, further EU member states have joined the euro area; this is why countries that did not yet have euro cash as their currency in 2002 also participated in the 2012 joint issue.
The coin belongs to the joint issues in which the participating countries use the same basic design. The design was not determined solely by the authorities: following an open design competition, a panel of experts selected five proposals. A public online vote then made the final decision. The winning design was created by Helmut Andexlinger, an engraver at Münze Österreich.
The tenth anniversary was an appropriate occasion for a joint issue because the introduction of cash had, for the first time, become directly visible in everyday payment transactions and tangible to all residents of the euro area. The joint issue combined this shared theme with the coin sides that continued to be the responsibility of the individual countries.
Interesting Facts
Year set, contains all eight denominations from 1 cent to 2 euros as well as this 2-euro commemorative coin (face value: 5,88 €)