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CC 236 2016
Coin set
BU
Coin set BU Euro 2016
France · UEFA European Championship 2016
Mintage500
Issue price€43.00
Issue date5 Feb 2016
PackagingCoin set
Edge lettering2 ★ ★ × 6, alternating upright/inverted
Issue occasion
The coin commemorates the 2016 UEFA European Championship, the 15th edition of the men's European Football Championship, held every four years since 1960. The design depicts the Henri Delaunay Trophy (Henri-Delaunay-Pokal), named after the competition's initiator, against the outline of France, along with a football and graphic symbols of the competition. The inscriptions “UEFA EURO 2016 FRANCE” and “RF” for République Française are also included.
The design
The UEFA European Men’s Football Championship, held every four years since 1960 and commonly referred to as the “Euro”, will take place in France from 10 June to 10 July 2016. Euro 2016 is the 15th edition of the European Football Championship. It is organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and brings together the best European men’s teams.
The winner receives a miniature version of the Henri Delaunay Trophy, named after the initiator of the competition.
The coin design depicts the Henri Delaunay Trophy against the outline of France, together with the two mint marks of the Paris Mint. To its right are the letters RF for République Française (French Republic). Above the outline of France runs the name of the competition, “UEFA EURO 2016 FRANCE”. A football is depicted in the foreground in the lower part of the design. The background consists of graphic elements symbolizing the competition.
The outer ring of the coin features the twelve stars of the European flag.
The winner receives a miniature version of the Henri Delaunay Trophy, named after the initiator of the competition.
The coin design depicts the Henri Delaunay Trophy against the outline of France, together with the two mint marks of the Paris Mint. To its right are the letters RF for République Française (French Republic). Above the outline of France runs the name of the competition, “UEFA EURO 2016 FRANCE”. A football is depicted in the foreground in the lower part of the design. The background consists of graphic elements symbolizing the competition.
The outer ring of the coin features the twelve stars of the European flag.
Background on the topic
Henri Delaunay was a French football official. He initially worked for the French federation and became the first Secretary General of the newly founded UEFA in 1954. Long before its establishment, he had advocated a regular competition for European national teams. Delaunay died in 1955 and did not live to see his project realised. His son Pierre, who succeeded him as UEFA Secretary General, continued the preparations. The naming of the trophy recalls this history of its origins.
In 2016, France hosted the tournament for the third time, after having already hosted the inaugural edition and the 1984 final tournament. For the first time, 24 rather than the previous 16 national teams took part in the final tournament. This expansion enabled several countries to participate for the first time, including Albania, Iceland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Matches were played in ten stadiums or venues, including in Paris, Saint-Denis, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux and Lille.
Portugal defeated the French team after extra time in the final at Stade de France in Saint-Denis. It was Portugal’s first title at a major international men’s tournament. The host team had previously defeated Germany in the semi-final. Other notable sporting developments included Wales reaching the semi-finals and Iceland’s success in reaching the quarter-finals.
The event also took place under special security conditions. Following the terrorist attacks of 2015, the state of emergency remained in force in France; stadiums and public fan zones were therefore heavily secured. The tournament was thus not only a sporting event, but also a pan-European major event held amid tense political and social conditions.
In addition to France’s role as host, the competition’s European reach was likely to have been particularly significant in the choice of the coin’s occasion. Football is one of Europe’s most widely followed shared cultural and media events. The issue thus established a direct link between the host country, a cross-border competition and European circulation coinage.
In 2016, France hosted the tournament for the third time, after having already hosted the inaugural edition and the 1984 final tournament. For the first time, 24 rather than the previous 16 national teams took part in the final tournament. This expansion enabled several countries to participate for the first time, including Albania, Iceland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Matches were played in ten stadiums or venues, including in Paris, Saint-Denis, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux and Lille.
Portugal defeated the French team after extra time in the final at Stade de France in Saint-Denis. It was Portugal’s first title at a major international men’s tournament. The host team had previously defeated Germany in the semi-final. Other notable sporting developments included Wales reaching the semi-finals and Iceland’s success in reaching the quarter-finals.
The event also took place under special security conditions. Following the terrorist attacks of 2015, the state of emergency remained in force in France; stadiums and public fan zones were therefore heavily secured. The tournament was thus not only a sporting event, but also a pan-European major event held amid tense political and social conditions.
In addition to France’s role as host, the competition’s European reach was likely to have been particularly significant in the choice of the coin’s occasion. Football is one of Europe’s most widely followed shared cultural and media events. The issue thus established a direct link between the host country, a cross-border competition and European circulation coinage.
Interesting Facts
This mini coin set contains all seven circulation coins from 1 cent to 1 euro, as well as this 2-euro commemorative coin (face value: 3,88 €).