Blister pack BU

After the Second World War, Germany was divided into four occupation zones. In 1949, these gave rise to the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) in the west and the German Democratic Republic (Deutsche Demokratische Republik, DDR) in the east. Berlin was also divided into four sectors, although the city lay entirely within the Soviet occupation zone. With the construction of the Berlin Wall in August 1961, the DDR sealed off West Berlin. The inner-German border and the Wall became visible symbols of the political division of Europe during the Cold War.

In 1989, the DDR leadership came under increasing pressure. Many citizens left the country via other Eastern Bloc states; at the same time, demonstrators demanded freedom of movement, free elections and political reforms. The opening of the Berlin border crossings on 9 November 1989 accelerated the political upheaval. Following the first free Volkskammer election in March 1990, the two German states negotiated state unity. In parallel, the Federal Republic, the DDR, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States regulated foreign-policy matters in the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany (Zwei-plus-Vier-Vertrag). These included Germany’s borders, its alliance affiliations and the termination of the rights of the four former occupying powers. On 3 October 1990, the DDR acceded to the Federal Republic.

The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) had been a Berlin landmark long before the division of Germany. It was built towards the end of the 18th century according to plans by Carl Gotthard Langhans. The Quadriga on the gate was created by Johann Gottfried Schadow. During the division, the structure stood directly beside the restricted area of the Wall and was not freely accessible to the population. In December 1989, a border crossing was reopened there. This gave the gate a close connection with the end of the division.

San Marino is permitted to issue its own euro coins under a monetary agreement with the European Union. German unity was a suitable theme because it represented not only a national event, but was also connected with the end of the Cold War and the overcoming of the political division of Europe.