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CC 336 2019
Blister pack
Proof
Proof blister
Germany · 70 years Bundesrat
Mintage37,200
Issue price€32.25
Issue date29 Jan 2019
PackagingBlister pack
Edge letteringEINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT + Federal Eagle
Market price€29.90
Varieties
1Germany, A · A · Mint mark A · Proof · Blister pack · Mintage 37,200
Issue occasion
The commemorative coin marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Bundesrat. The design features a detailed, three-dimensional view of the Bundesrat building, as well as the inscription “BUNDESRAT”, the artist’s initials, the mint mark and the year “2019”.
The design
The coin design shows a highly detailed and finely sculpted view of the Bundesratsgebäude. In the upper half of the coin’s inner section are the mint mark of the respective mint (“A”, “D”, “F”, “G” or “J”), the artist’s initials and the year “2019”. The lower half of the coin’s inner section bears the inscription “BUNDESRAT” and the German country code “D”.
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
The Bundesrat first convened on 7 September 1949. Its establishment is based on the federal structure of the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland), as laid down in the Basic Law (Grundgesetz). Following the centralist rule of National Socialism, state power was once again to be divided between the Federation and the Länder. Historical predecessors of a representation of the individual German states were the Bundesrat of the German Empire and the Reichsrat of the Weimar Republic. The Bundesrat of 1949, however, is an independent constitutional body.
Through it, the 16 Länder participate in the legislation and administration of the Federation as well as in matters concerning the European Union (Europäische Union). Its members are not elected directly but delegated by the state governments. Depending on its population, each Land has between three and six votes, which can only be cast uniformly. Its consent is required for laws that particularly affect the responsibilities or finances of the Länder. With regard to other federal laws, it may lodge an objection. Conflicts between the Bundestag and the Bundesrat may be dealt with by the Mediation Committee.
During its first decades, the Bundesrat was based in the Bundeshaus in Bonn. Since 2000, it has convened in Berlin in the former building of the Preußisches Herrenhaus on Leipziger Straße. The building, erected according to plans by Friedrich Schulze, was opened in 1904. The Herrenhaus was the first chamber of the Prussian Landtag; after the end of the monarchy, the Preußischer Staatsrat, among others, used the building. Following war damage and subsequent alterations, it was restored to meet the requirements of the Bundesrat.
The anniversary provided an opportunity to address one of the five permanent constitutional bodies of the Federation. At the same time, the building selected points to the longer history of federal and parliamentary institutions in Germany. The issue thus forms part of the German practice of featuring state institutions and historical anniversaries on circulation coins.
Through it, the 16 Länder participate in the legislation and administration of the Federation as well as in matters concerning the European Union (Europäische Union). Its members are not elected directly but delegated by the state governments. Depending on its population, each Land has between three and six votes, which can only be cast uniformly. Its consent is required for laws that particularly affect the responsibilities or finances of the Länder. With regard to other federal laws, it may lodge an objection. Conflicts between the Bundestag and the Bundesrat may be dealt with by the Mediation Committee.
During its first decades, the Bundesrat was based in the Bundeshaus in Bonn. Since 2000, it has convened in Berlin in the former building of the Preußisches Herrenhaus on Leipziger Straße. The building, erected according to plans by Friedrich Schulze, was opened in 1904. The Herrenhaus was the first chamber of the Prussian Landtag; after the end of the monarchy, the Preußischer Staatsrat, among others, used the building. Following war damage and subsequent alterations, it was restored to meet the requirements of the Bundesrat.
The anniversary provided an opportunity to address one of the five permanent constitutional bodies of the Federation. At the same time, the building selected points to the longer history of federal and parliamentary institutions in Germany. The issue thus forms part of the German practice of featuring state institutions and historical anniversaries on circulation coins.