EUR 2 commemorative coins 2020

Andorra

2 euro coin

Subject of commemoration: The 27th Ibero-American Summit in Andorra
Description of the design: The 27th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government will be held in the Principality of Andorra in 2020. Andorra, the newest and smallest member of the Ibero-American Conference, will host this meeting of the highest political level, which comprises 19 Latin American countries together with Spain, Portugal and Andorra, in order to work towards common goals such as Sustainable Development. The design of the coin shows a tree made up by human silhouettes and tine wheels. The human silhouettes symbolize the integration of society, culture and education for the realization of a sustainable future. The tine wheels symbolize the synergy of movement between the ideas and proposals of participants to this Summit. Next to the tree, there is the logo of this 27th Summit. On its upper side, three triangles represent the colors of the Andorran flag. On its lower side, six triangles represent Andorra’s opening towards Sustainable Development Goals. Around the design, there is the inscription ‘XXVII CIMERA IBEROAMERICANA ANDORRA 2020’ (27th Ibero-American Summit Andorra 2020).
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 73.500
Date of issue: second half of 2020  

Andorra

coin

Subject of commemoration: 50 years of Universal Female Suffrage
Description of the design: The design of the coin shows a female face inside a wrapper of endless moving lines. These lines are formed by female names in Catalan language close together, making it difficult to read them individually, as a tribute to solidarity of women in the fight for their rights. There is one repeated name only, that of ‘VICTORIA’ and symbolises the victory of gaining the right to vote.
The inscriptions ‘50 ANYS DEL SUFRAGI UNIVERSAL FEMENÍ’ (50 years of Universal Female Suffrage) and ‘ANDORRA 1970 - 2020’ complete the design. These inscriptions are also incorporated into the movement of the lines in a way, in order to give more importance to the anniversary that is being commemorated.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 60 000
Date of issue: 2nd half of 2020  

Belgium

coin

Subject of commemoration: International Year of Plant Health 2020 (IYPH 2020)
Description of the design: The inner part of the piece depicts the official logo of the IYPH 2020 that symbolises leaves and the text ‘International year of plant health’. The leaves represent healthy plants as the source of the oxygen we breathe, the food we eat and all life on earth. This positive image of leaves protected from deadly pests and diseases forms a circle, which represents the world and underlines how plant health and protection is a global issue. Plant health is the key to ending hunger, reducing poverty, protecting the environment and boosting economic development.
As the Royal Dutch Mint will strike the coins, the mintmark of Utrecht, a mercury staff is located on the right. The Belgian mint director mintmark, the coat of arms of the municipality Herzele is located on the left. The country code BE and the year mark 2020 are located on the bottom.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: 755 000 coins
Date of issue: February 2020 

Belgium

coin

Subject of commemoration: Jan van Eyck
Description of the design: The inner part of the piece depicts the portrait of the famous Flemish artist Jan van Eyck, together with his signature and a painter’s palette that also contains the initials LL, referring to the designer of the coin, Mr Luc Luycx and two paintbrushes. Above this, you can find the name J. van Eyck. As the Royal Dutch Mint will strike the coins, the mintmark of Utrecht, a mercury staff is located on the bottom together with the Belgian mint director mintmark, the coat of arms of the municipality Herzele. The country code BE and the year mark 2020 is located on the right.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: 155 000 coins
Date of issue: second half of 2020

Cyprus

coin

Subject of commemoration: The 30th anniversary of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and genetics
Description of the design: Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, which celebrates 30 years of existence. The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics receives international recognition and plays an active and essential role as a national, regional and international centre of excellence for the provision of high quality services, innovative research and postgraduate education. The issuing country’s name ‘KYΠΡΟΣ - KIBRIS’ and the phrase ‘ΙΝΣΤΙTOYΤΟ ΝΕΥΡΟΛΟΓΊΑΣ & ΓΕΝΕΤΙKHΣ KYΠΡΟY 1990-2020’ (i.e. Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics 1990-2020) are inscribed in circle around the design.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: 412 000
Date of issue: Fourth quarter of 2020  

Estonia

coin

Subject of commemoration: The bicentenary of the discovery of Antarctica
Description of the design: The discovery is linked to Estonia because one of the first men to see Antarctica in 1820 was Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen, a Baltic German seafarer born in Saaremaa, who documented the discovery.
The design depicts a motif of a sailing ship. It also bear the inscriptions ‘Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen’ and ‘ANTARKTIKA 200’, the country name ‘EESTI’ and the year of issuance ‘2020’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 750 000
Date of issue: Beginning of 2020

Estonia

coin

Subject of commemoration: The centenary of the Tartu Peace Treaty
Description of the design: The treaty was signed between Estonia and Soviet Russia on 2 February 1920, and it fixed the Eastern border of Estonia, bringing an end to the War of Independence.
The design depicts a tree with branches disguising the words TARTU RAHU (Tartu Peace Treaty). Ity also bears the country name ‘EESTI’ and the date of issue ‘2 February 2020’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 1 000 000
Date of issue: 2 February 2020

Finland

coin

Subject of commemoration: Universities and society – University of Turku 100 years
Description of the design: The grid-like design represents the interaction between universities and the society. At the top of the design, there is the year of issuance ‘2020’, at the right side the mintmark and underneath the mintmark is the indication of the issuing country ‘FI’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: maximum 800 000
Date of issue: Spring/Summer 2020

Finland

coin

Subject of commemoration: Väinö Linna 100 years
Description of the design: The coin celebrates the well-known late Finnish writer Väinö Linna. This year marks the centenary of his birth in 1920. The design reflects Linna’s work in a textile mill and depicts, in addition to his face, letters as weaved fabric and threads that run through his books. The inscription VÄINÖ LINNA is at the left side. At the bottom are the inscriptions of the year of issuance ‘2020’, of the issuing country ‘FI’ and the mintmark.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: maximum 800 000
Date of issue: September-December 2020 

France

coin

Subject of commemoration: Charles de Gaulle
Description of the design: The design represents two profiles of Charles de Gaulle at two different times. The profile in the background shows Charles de Gaulle in army general is uniform during the call to arms of the 18th June 1940 or during the liberation of Paris. The profile in the foreground represents Charles de Gaulle during his second presidential term of office. Finally, the mention RF is semi-integrated in a Lorraine cross, symbol of free France chosen by General de Gaulle in 1940. His dates of birth and death as well as the year date are also inscribed in the Lorraine cross.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: 18 061 940
Date of issue: 18 June 2020  

France

coin

Subject of commemoration: Medical Research
Description of the design: The design shows the figuration of the human in union, represented by a face inscribed in a sphere. It faces the infinitely small, represented by fragments of DNA inscribed in a circle. By its oblique axis, this allegory represents the research and its intelligence dominating the infinitely small, studying it and triumphing over the diseases. The indication of the issuing country ‘RF’ is located at the top right while the mintmark and the year of issuance ‘2020’ are located at the bottom left.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: 300 000
Date of issue: October 2020

Germany

coin

Subject of commemoration: Brandenburg (the Bundesländer series)
Description of the design: The design shows the Sanssouci Palace. The upper half of the coin’s inner section includes the mint mark of the respective mint (‘A’, ‘D’, ‘F’, ‘G’ or ‘J’), the artist’s initials and the year ‘2020’. The lower half of the coin’s inner section contains the inscription ‘BRANDENBURG’ and Germany’s issuing country code ‘D’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 30 000 000
Date of issue: January/February 2020

Germany

coin

Subject of commemoration: The 50th anniversary of Willy Brandt’s Kniefall von Warschau
Description of the design: The design shows Brandt, who was the chancellor of Germany at that time, keeling before the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes in Warsaw in a gesture of humility. Yhe Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943 is evoked by the composition’s powerful imagery. Traced in extremely fine relief, the design pictures compelling symbols: a seven-branched menorah, the ghetto victims, as well as the genuflection. The inner part of the coin also features the artist’s initials (top), the mint mark of the respective mint (‘A’, ‘D’, ‘F’, ‘G’ or ‘J’), the year, ‘2020’ (centre left), Germany’s issuing country code, ‘D’ (bottom right), and the lettering ‘50 JAHRE KNIEFALL VON WARSCHAU’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 30 000 000
Date of issue: October 2020

Greece

coin

Subject of commemoration: 2 500 years since the Battle of Thermopylae
Description of the design: The design depicts an ancient Greek helmet. Inscribed along the inner edge are the words ‘2500 YEARS SINCE THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE’ and ‘HELLENIC REPUBLIC’. Also inscribed in the background are the year of issuance ‘2020’ and a palmette (the mintmark of the Greek mint). Visible down and right of the helmet is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos). Although ending in defeat for the Greeks, the Battle of Thermopylae remains a timeless symbol of heroic resistance.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 750 000
Date of issue: January 2020

Greece

coin

Subject of commemoration: 100 years since the union of Thrace with Greece
Description of the design: The design replicates an ancient coin of the Thracian city of Abdera, featuring a griffin. Inscribed along the inner edge are the words ‘100 YEARS SINCE THE UNION OF THRACE WITH GREECE’ and ‘HELLENIC REPUBLIC’, as well as the year of issuance ‘2020’ and a palmette (the mintmark of the Greek mint). Also visible at left is the monogram of the artist (George Stamatopoulos). The region of Thrace, located in the northeastern corner of the country, was united with Greece after the end of World War I.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 750 000
Date of issue: May 2020

Italy

coin

Subject of commemoration: The 80th Anniversary of Foundation of ‘Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del Fuoco’ (National Fire Department)
Description of the design: The design shows, in the center, the logo of the National Fire Department. On the left, ‘RI’, acronym of the Italian Republic; on the right, the year of the coin’s issue ‘2020’; ‘R’, identifying the Mint of Rome; below, ‘LDS’, initials of the designer Luciana De Simoni; above, arch-shaped inscription ‘CORPO NAZIONALE DEI VIGILI DEL FUOCO’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 3 000 000
Date of issue: January 2020  

Italy

coin

Subject of commemoration: 150th anniversary of the birth of Maria Montessori
Description of the design: A portrait of Maria Montessori in a geometric composition with some of didactic elements drawn from her educational system. In the right field, ‘RI’, acronym of the Italian Republic; on the left, ‘R’ ,identifying the Mint of Rome; on the right, ‘LDS’, initials of the designer Luciana De Simoni; at the top and bottom, the dates ‘1870’ e ‘2020’, the year of birth of the Italian pedagogue and that of coin’s issue, respectively; around the portrait, the inscription ‘MARIA MONTESSORI’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 3 000 000
Date of issue: June 2020

Latvia

coin

Subject of commemoration: Latgalian ceramics
Description of the design: The coin is dedicated to the Latgalian pottery. The traditional pottery established itself for substantial periods of time in two districts, Latgale and Kurzeme, ut only in Latgale it has survived throughout the times and passed over to the next generations. The Latgalian pottery is included also in the Latvian Culture Canon. The design depicts a characteristic piece of Latgalian ceramics – clay candelabrum. It bears an inscription ‘LATGALES KERAMIKA’ (Latgalian ceramics), the country name ‘LATVIJA’ as well as the year of issuance ‘2020’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 412 000
Date of issue: Second quarter of 2020

Lithuania

coin

Subject of commemoration: Aukštaitija (from the series Lithuanian Ethnographic Regions)
Description of the design: The design features a coat of arms with an armour-clad knight holding a sword in his right hand. The coat of arms is held by two angels, symbolically exalting and protecting Aukštaitija – one of the most important regions of Lithuania and the cradle of its statehood. Below is a Latin inscription PATRIAM TUAM MUNDUM EXISTIMA (CONSIDER YOUR HOMELAND TO BE THE WHOLE WORLD). The design is surrounded by inscriptions: ‘LIETUVA’ (the name of the issuing country), ‘AUKŠTAITIJA’, the year of issuance ‘2020’ and the mintmark of the Lithuanian Mint.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 500 000
Date of issue: Third quarter of 2020  

Lithuania

coin

Subject of commemoration: UNESCO Cultural Heritage - Kryžių Kalnas (the Hill of Crosses)
Description of the design: The design depicts the Hill of Crosses: fragments of wooden and forged crosses, symbolizing Lithuanian cross-crafting and folk culture. Cross-crafting and cross-symbolism in Lithuania are included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The inscriptions featured are: Lithuania’s name ‘LIETUVA’, the year of issue ‘2020’ on the top, ‘KRYŽIŲ KALNAS’ (the Hill of Crosses) and the mark of the Lithuanian Mint at the bottom. The design is realized by Rytas Jonas Belevičius.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 500 000
Date of issue: Fourth quarter of 2020  

Luxembourg

coin

Subject of commemoration: The 200th anniversary of the birth of Prince Henri
Description of the design: The design shows on the right hand the effigy of His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke Henri, and on the left hand the effigy of Prince Henri. At the bottom is the name of the issuing country ‘LUXEMBOURG’ and the year-date ‘2020’. At the left, in semi-circle form, is the inscription ‘Prince Henri d’Orange-Nassau’ and underneath his effigy is the inscription ‘1820 – 1879’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 500 000
Date of issue: January 2020  

Luxembourg

coin

Subject of commemoration: The birth of Prince Charles
Description of the design: The design depicts at the centre the representation of Prince Charles as well as the effigies of his parents, Their Royal Highnesses the Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and the Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie. Below these effigies, the text ‘S.A.R. de Prënz Charles’ (His Royal Highness the Prince Charles) is followed by the date of birth ‘10 May 2020’. At the left, the word ‘LËTZEBUERG’ as the designation of the issuing country is depicted vertically. The monogram (letter ‘H’ with a crown) is a representation of the Grand Duke Henri.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 500 000
Date of issue: December 2020

Malta

coins

Subject of commemoration: Unesco World Heritage Site – pre-historic temples of Skorba
Description of the design: The design features Skorba, a prehistoric temple located near the hamlet of Zebbiegh, in the northwest of Malta. The complex consists of two temples built side by side. These were built on a much older settlement remains of which were discovered outside the temple complex. Skorba lacks the monumentality of the other temples on the Maltese islands. Nevertheless, the site is of utmost importance having enabled archaeologists to set Malta’s prehistoric cultural sequence and establish that the islands were first inhabited at around 5 000 BC. The inscription ‘SKORBA TEMPLES 3600-2500 BC’ appears at the top of the design. At the bottom are the name of the issuing country ‘MALTA’ and the year of issuance ‘2020’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: 170 000
Date of issue: May/June 2020  

Malta

coin

Subject of commemoration: Children’s games
Description of the design: The design depicts a melange of traditional games popular with Maltese children. These include marbles, spinning tops and traditional kite-making and flying. Depicted is also a Maltese version of hop-scotch which is known locally as ‘passju’. Three bees flying in a circle allude to a popular chant sung by Maltese children during play. Included in the design is the name of the issuing country, ‘Malta’, and the year of issue, ‘2020’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: 220 000
Date of issue: October 2020

 

Monaco

coin

Subject of commemoration: The 300th anniversary of the birth of Prince Honoré III
Description of the design: The design shows the effigy of Prince Honoré III. At the left is the inscription ‘HONORÉ III’ and at the right the name of the issuing country ‘MONACO’. At the bottom, in semi-circle, is the inscription ‘1720 – Naissance – 2020’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: 15 000
Date of issue: 1 June 2020

Portugal

coin

Subject of commemoration: 75th anniversary of the United Nations
Description of the design: The design depicts the UN logo. At the top is the year of issuance ‘2020’, the name of the issuing country ‘PORTUGAL’ and the inscription ‘UN 75 YEARS’. Under the words ‘UN’ and ‘YEARS’ is their translation in Portuguese ‘ONU’ and ‘ANOS’. At the left side is the name of the mint ‘CASA DA MOEDA’ and at the right side is the engraver’s name ‘ANDRÉ LETRIA’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 510 000
Date of issue: Middle of 2020 

Portugal

coin

Subject of commemoration: 730th anniversary of the University of Coimbra
Description of the design: The design depicts the tower of University of Coimbra and a visual composition of triangles representing the roofs of the university of Coimbra, the highest is of the Joanina Library within the lettering ‘UNIVERSIDADE DE COIMBRA 730 ANOS PORTUGAL 2020’ (English – UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA 730 YEARS PORTUGAL 2020).
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 360 000
Date of issue: November 2020

San Marino

coin

Subject of commemoration: 500th anniversary of the death of Raphael
Description of the design: The design reproduces the profile of the Virgin Mary, which is part of the Madonna di Casa Santi fresco, the first masterpiece by a very young Raphael painted in the family home in Urbino, which now houses the prestigious Accademia Raffaello. The fresco depicts the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus on her lap and is imbued with the delicacy of the intimacy between mother and son, a recurring theme in Raphael’s artistic works. In the top right of the coin, there is the name of the issuing country ‘SAN MARINO’ and the years ‘1520’ and ‘2020’. At the bottom is the inscription ‘RAFFAELLO’, on the right the initials of the designer Annalisa Masini ‘AM’, and on the left the letter ‘R’, indicating the Mint of Rome.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: 54 000
Date of issue: March/April 2020 

San Marino

coin

Subject of commemoration: 250th anniversary of the death of Giambattista Tiepolo
Description of the design: The left part of the coin features the bust of an angel, a detail from Tiepolo’s painting ‘Angel Succouring Hagar’, which hangs in the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Venice, and the initials of the designer Claudia Momoni ‘C.M.’. Above is the inscription ‘TIEPOLO’ and the letter ‘R’ identifying the Mint of Rome; on the right are the dates 1770 and 2020 and the inscription ‘San Marino’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: 54 000
Date of issue: August-September 2020

Slovakia

coin

Subject of commemoration: 20th anniversary of Slovakia’s accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Description of the design: The upper right half of the national side design depicts a representation of the concept of digital humanism: printed circuits in the shape of a human brain, in the centre of which is a circle representing a microprocessor. The Slovak coat of arms is placed next to the lower right edge. Inscribed inside a square outline that partly overlaps the main image are the words ‘20. VÝROČIE’ and ‘VSTUP SR DO OECD’ (the 20th anniversary of Slovakia’s accession to the OECD). Below the square is the name of the issuing country ‘SLOVENSKO’ and the year of issuance ‘2020’, one above the other. Between the square and the left edge of the design is the mint mark of the Kremnica Mint (Mincovňa Kremnica), consisting of the letters ‘MK’ placed between two dies. Below the mint mark are the stylised letters ‘PV’ referring to the designer Peter Valach.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 1 000 000
Date of issue: November 2020

Slovenia

coin

Subject of commemoration: The 500th anniversary of the birth of Adam Bohorič
Description of the design: The design has at its core a multilingual slogan from the cover of Bohorič’s Latin – Slovenian grammar titled “Proste zimske urice”. The slogan in Slovenian, written in bohoričica (the type of writing named after Adam Bohorič), which is easily recognizable due to the use of a typical letter f, is positioned in the lower half of the coin’s core. Behind is the Slovenian slogan in Latin – presenting Bohorič’s contribution to the international academic sphere. At the top of the design, in semi-circle, is the inscription ‘ADAM BOHORIČ1520 / SLOVENIJA 2020’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 1 000 000
Date of issue: 2nd half of 2020  

Spain

coin

Subject of commemoration: UNESCO’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites – Aragón and the Aragonese Mudejar architecture
Description of the design: The design shows the image of the tower of El Salvador de Teruel. On the left side in capital letters is the word ‘ESPAÑA’ and on the right side the mintmark and underneath it the year of issuance 2020. At the top in the central part, in a circular sense and in capital letters the legend ‘ARQUITECTURA MUDEJAR DE ARAGÓN’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 4 000 000
Date of issue: 1 February 2020  

Vatican

coin

Subject of commemoration: 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Pope John Paul II
Description of the design: The design features Pope John Paul II, the home where He was born and the Basilica near His home in Wadowice, Poland. At the top left, in semi-circle is the inscription ‘PAPA GIOVANNI PAOLO II’. At the right are the years ‘1920 2020’, and the mintmark ‘R’. At the bottom, in semi-circle, is the name of the issuing country ‘CITTA’ DEL VATICANO’. Under the image of the Basilica are the artist’s name ‘G. TITOTTO’ and the engraver’s initials ‘M.A.C. INC’ (Maria Angela Cassol, engraver).
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: 101 000
Date of issue: May 2020 

Vatican

coin

Subject of commemoration: 500th Anniversary of the death of Raphael Sanzio
Description of the design: The design features a portrait of Raphael and two angels. At the right, in semi-circle, is the inscription ‘RAFFAELLO SANZIO’. Above the image of the two angels are the years ‘1520’ and ‘2020’ and underneath it is the name of the issuing country ‘CITTA’ DEL VATICANO’. At the bottom is the mintmark ‘R’ and the artist’s name ‘D. LONGO’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: 101 000
Date of issue: 5 October 2020