Deutsch
English
Français
Español
Italiano
Nederlands
Português
Slovenčina
Hrvatski
Slovenščina
Lietuvių
Eesti
Български
CC 485 2023
2 euro coin
BU Mint mark A/D/F/G/J Main coin Bank issue
2 Euro BU
Germany · 1275th birthday of Karl dem Großen
Mintage20,000,000
Issue date30 Mar 2023
Edge letteringEINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT + Federal Eagle
Market price€3.50
Mintage information from source: 4000000 | 4200000 | 4800000 | 2800000
Varieties
5Germany, A · A · Mint mark A · BU · Mintage 4,000,000
Germany, D · D · Mint mark D · BU · Mintage 4,200,000
Germany, F · F · Mint mark F · BU · Mintage 4,800,000
Germany, G · G · Mint mark G · BU · Mintage 2,800,000
Germany, J · J · Mint mark J · BU · Mintage 4,200,000
Issue occasion
The coin commemorates the 1275th anniversary of the birth of Charlemagne (Karl der Große) (748–814), King of the Frankish Kingdom and Roman emperor. The design combines his personal monogram with the octagon of Aachen Cathedral (Aachener Dom). It is complemented by the inscription “KARL DER GROSSE” and the years “748–814”.
The design
The coin design combines two contemporary elements: the personal monogram of Karl der Große and the octagon of Aachener Dom. The two components are skillfully linked to form a unique work of art. The design impresses with the dynamism of its three-dimensional composition. Overall, it innovatively pays tribute to an outstanding figure in European history. The inner part of the coin also bears the inscription “KARL DER GROßE” in the upper half and the year of issue “2023”, the dates “748–814”, the German country code “D”, the mint mark of the respective mint (“A”, “D”, “F”, “G” or “J”), and the artist’s initials (“TW”) in the lower half.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer ring of the coin.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer ring of the coin.
Background on the topic
Charlemagne (Karl) descended from the ruling dynasty of the Carolingians. After the death of his father, Pepin the Short (Pippin der Jüngere), he initially shared rule with his brother Carloman (Karlmann). Later, he united the realm and expanded it through numerous military campaigns. It eventually encompassed large parts of present-day France, Germany, Italy and the Benelux countries. The decades-long Saxon Wars were accompanied by forced baptisms, resettlements and harsh punishment of resistance.
His coronation as emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome on Christmas Day in the year 800 revived the tradition of the ancient Roman Empire in the West. At the same time, it shaped the relationship between secular rule and the papacy. Charlemagne’s realm, however, was not a centrally administered state in the modern sense. The court moved between various palaces; counts exercised regional rule, while royal envoys were supposed to monitor their administration.
At court, education, the use of writing and the standardization of ecclesiastical texts were promoted. Scholars such as Alcuin of York contributed to these reforms. In this context, Carolingian minuscule spread, a highly legible script that later influenced the development of Latin book script. This cultural renewal is referred to as the Carolingian Renaissance.
Aachen was one of Charlemagne’s preferred palaces. The palace chapel erected there forms the core of the present-day cathedral. Its central octagonal space was modelled on Late Antique and Byzantine centralized buildings, particularly San Vitale in Ravenna. Charlemagne was buried in Aachen. Later, the church served for centuries as the coronation site of Roman-German kings.
The ruler’s monogram was an authentication mark on documents and stood for the Latin name Karolus. Its connection with the Aachen building thus refers simultaneously to royal rule, court culture and Charlemagne’s legacy. The anniversary provided Germany with an occasion to commemorate a figure whose rule was connected both with Aachen and with the political history of several present-day European states.
His coronation as emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome on Christmas Day in the year 800 revived the tradition of the ancient Roman Empire in the West. At the same time, it shaped the relationship between secular rule and the papacy. Charlemagne’s realm, however, was not a centrally administered state in the modern sense. The court moved between various palaces; counts exercised regional rule, while royal envoys were supposed to monitor their administration.
At court, education, the use of writing and the standardization of ecclesiastical texts were promoted. Scholars such as Alcuin of York contributed to these reforms. In this context, Carolingian minuscule spread, a highly legible script that later influenced the development of Latin book script. This cultural renewal is referred to as the Carolingian Renaissance.
Aachen was one of Charlemagne’s preferred palaces. The palace chapel erected there forms the core of the present-day cathedral. Its central octagonal space was modelled on Late Antique and Byzantine centralized buildings, particularly San Vitale in Ravenna. Charlemagne was buried in Aachen. Later, the church served for centuries as the coronation site of Roman-German kings.
The ruler’s monogram was an authentication mark on documents and stood for the Latin name Karolus. Its connection with the Aachen building thus refers simultaneously to royal rule, court culture and Charlemagne’s legacy. The anniversary provided Germany with an occasion to commemorate a figure whose rule was connected both with Aachen and with the political history of several present-day European states.
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