Slovenia · 35 years of the Erasmus Programme

Issue date1 Jul 2022

Total mintage1,000,000

EU maximum1,000,000

Editions2

Edge letteringSLOVENIJA •

Inscription1987-2022 / PROGRAM / ERASMUS / SLOVENIJA

DesignerJoaquin Jimenez

mintUAB Lietuvos Monetų Kalykla, Lithuania

Issue occasion

The commemorative coin honours 35 years of the Erasmus programme. The design depicts Erasmus as the original intellectual inspiration, together with a network of connections symbolising the diverse intellectual and human exchange between European students. Some of the connections form stars from which the anniversary number 35 emerges; on the Luxembourg issue, a portrait of the Grand Duke can also be seen in the background.

The design

The coin design depicts a combination of two main elements of the Erasmus programme: the original intellectual inspiration, Erasmus himself, and the allegory of his influence on Europe. The first is symbolized by one of the best-known depictions of Erasmus. The second is represented by a network of connections extending from one beacon to another across the coin, depicting the diverse intellectual and human exchange between European students. With regard to Europe, some of these connections form stars emerging from the synergies between the countries. The anniversary number 35 emerges from the stars in a contemporary graphic style. The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer ring of the coin.

Background on the topic

The Erasmus Programme was established in 1987 by the then European Community. His best-known works include the satirical The Praise of Folly and an edition of the Greek New Testament.