Deutsch
English
Français
Español
Italiano
Nederlands
Português
Slovenčina
Hrvatski
Slovenščina
Lietuvių
Eesti
Български
CC 358 2019
2 euro coin
BU Main coin Bank issue
2 Euro BU
France · 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall
Mintage15,000,000
Issue date10 Oct 2019
Edge lettering2 ★ ★ × 6, alternating upright/inverted
Market price€3.50
Issue occasion
The coin commemorates the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, which marked the end of the Cold War and paved the way for German reunification. The design shows the Berlin Wall opened in the centre, being crossed by doves as symbols of international reconciliation and by a cheering crowd. The Brandenburg Gate can be seen in the background; the inscription “30 years since the fall of the Wall” appears on the wall.
The design
Thirty years ago, the Berlin Wall fell. This event not only affected German society but also had worldwide consequences. 9 November 1989 marked the end of the Cold War, and the events of that day heralded a calming of the situation after several decades of international tensions. At European level, this was the first step towards the reunification of one of the leading countries of the European Union. This significant change was subsequently sealed by the Two Plus Four Treaty, which France also signed. In just one year, the European Union welcomed 16 million new citizens, which almost equalled the structural and economic impact of the accession of a new country!
The coin design shows the Berliner Mauer opened in the centre, with pigeons — symbols of international reconciliation — and a jubilant crowd passing through it. In the background is the Brandenburger Tor — the quintessential symbol of Berlin. One side of the wall bears the inscription “30 years since the fall of the Wall”. At the bottom of the coin design, the year of issue “2019” and, to its right, the designation of the issuing state “RF” (for “République Française”) can be seen.
The outer ring of the coin depicts the twelve stars of the European flag.
The coin design shows the Berliner Mauer opened in the centre, with pigeons — symbols of international reconciliation — and a jubilant crowd passing through it. In the background is the Brandenburger Tor — the quintessential symbol of Berlin. One side of the wall bears the inscription “30 years since the fall of the Wall”. At the bottom of the coin design, the year of issue “2019” and, to its right, the designation of the issuing state “RF” (for “République Française”) can be seen.
The outer ring of the coin depicts the twelve stars of the European flag.
Background on the topic
The Berlin Wall began to be erected on 13 August 1961. The leadership of the GDR ordered the crossings to West Berlin to be closed in order to prevent its population from leaving via the western part of the city. Barriers and barbed wire developed into a system of walls, fences, watchtowers and controlled border strips. Berlin thus became a central scene of the political and military division of Europe.
9 November 1989 was not a border opening that had been planned long in advance. It was preceded by mass protests in the GDR, an increasing movement of people leaving the country and political change in several Eastern Bloc states. At a press conference, SED Politburo member Günter Schabowski announced new travel regulations. When asked when they would take effect, he answered, in effect: immediately. As the border guards had received no clear instructions and more and more people were gathering at the crossings, they opened the barriers that same evening. The Wall was only largely dismantled in the following months.
The Brandenburg Gate was built in the late 18th century to designs by Carl Gotthard Langhans. During the division of Germany, it stood directly within the sealed-off border area and could not be used as a regular passage. Its location made it a frequently used political image of the division of Berlin and later of overcoming it.
France’s commemorating this anniversary was also connected with its role as one of the four victorious powers of the Second World War. France signed the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany (Zwei-plus-vier-Vertrag) together with the two German states, the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom. This treaty regulated the foreign-policy conditions for German reunification and ended the four powers’ remaining rights with regard to Germany. With the GDR’s accession to the Federal Republic, the territory of the European Communities was also expanded, without a separate new member state being admitted. The occasion therefore had a political dimension that was not only German, but also French and pan-European.
9 November 1989 was not a border opening that had been planned long in advance. It was preceded by mass protests in the GDR, an increasing movement of people leaving the country and political change in several Eastern Bloc states. At a press conference, SED Politburo member Günter Schabowski announced new travel regulations. When asked when they would take effect, he answered, in effect: immediately. As the border guards had received no clear instructions and more and more people were gathering at the crossings, they opened the barriers that same evening. The Wall was only largely dismantled in the following months.
The Brandenburg Gate was built in the late 18th century to designs by Carl Gotthard Langhans. During the division of Germany, it stood directly within the sealed-off border area and could not be used as a regular passage. Its location made it a frequently used political image of the division of Berlin and later of overcoming it.
France’s commemorating this anniversary was also connected with its role as one of the four victorious powers of the Second World War. France signed the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany (Zwei-plus-vier-Vertrag) together with the two German states, the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom. This treaty regulated the foreign-policy conditions for German reunification and ended the four powers’ remaining rights with regard to Germany. With the GDR’s accession to the Federal Republic, the territory of the European Communities was also expanded, without a separate new member state being admitted. The occasion therefore had a political dimension that was not only German, but also French and pan-European.
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 analysis