Slovenia 2 EURO 2009

The euro celebrated its 10th anniversary on 1 January 2009. Ten years ago, the euro was first introduced as book money, with euro banknotes and coins entering into circulation in 2002. Today, the euro is used for payments by more than 329 million residents of the euro area, which now comprises 16 of the 27 EU Member States.

In its 10 years of existence, the euro has led to price stability, increased price transparency, facilitated trade between countries and accelerated economic and financial integration within the euro area and with other countries. In just a single decade, the euro has become the world's second most important currency.
On May 1998, the leaders of EU Member States adopted a key decision regarding the launch of the third stage of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and those countries to be included therein. At the same time, the European Central Bank, which assumed responsibility for conducting the single monetary policy for the euro area, was established.

The introduction of the euro was actually the result of several years of preparations and represents one of the most important steps in the process of European integration. The idea of a European monetary union dates back to the beginning of the second half of the last century, although it only became a reality 10 years ago.
Slovenia like all other euro area countries issued 2-euro commemorative coin using a common design on the national side to celebrate ten years of economic and monetary union and the creation of the euro.
Production and minting: Mint of Finland, Vantaa, Finland
Date of issue: January 2009

Finland, 2 commemorative EURO, 2009

All euro area countries are issuing a two-euro commemorative coin to celebrate the 10th anniversary of economic and monetary union in Europe. The obverse side of the coin shows a stick figure which merges into the euro symbol and ‘EMU 1999 – 2009’. The obverse side of the Finnish coin also has the text ‘SUOMI FINLAND 2009’ and the lettering ‘Talous- ja rahaliitto EMU’ written around the edge of the coin. The reverse of the coin is identical to that of existing two-euro coins in circulation. A total of 1,400,000 of the new commemorative coins will be struck in Finland. The Bank of Finland will issue around half of the total batch through normal currency supply channels and the other half through Finnish commercial banks as wholesale deliveries. Most of the new coins will enter circulation as change given in retail outlets, though they will also be available for purchase in coin shops. The coins will be put into circulation in early January. The commemorative coins will be legal tender in all euro area countries.

Source : Bank of Finland

10 years of Euro

For the second time in its short history, all eurozone member states will issue a €2 coin with a common design also on the national side. In 2007, the issue celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, while this new €2 coin celebrates ten years of economic and monetary union (EMU).EU citizens and residents have selected the new design by an on-line vote. The design symbolizes the euro as the latest step in the long history of European economic integration, and was created by Mr. G. Stamatopoulos, sculptor at the Minting Department of the Bank of Greece.The center of the reverse shows a stylized human figure whose left arm is prolonged by the euro symbol. The initials ΓΣ of the artist appear below the euro symbol. The name of the issuing country written in the national language(s) appear(s) at the top, while the legend “1999-2009” and the acronym EMU translated into the national language(s) appear at the bottom. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring.

The 2 Euro coin 2004 Greece

Greece publishes 2004 the first 2 Euro Intending coins, which is course valid in the entire monetary union. European back, weight and material correspond to the normal rotating coin, the illustrated page show a Discus thrower and the Olympic rings. The European commission has green light on 30 September 2003 given for a new series of 2 Euro Think of coins. Starting from this year it is open all member states to coin/shape per year an intending coin in the value from 2 Euros to which exhibits the same specifications and the same European side, like the normal course coins. This new 2 Euro Think of coins is in completely euro country official, legal tender. For the editions of these coins, differently than thus with the rotating money, limitations, maximum limits of the embossing quantities, were specified. In completely euro country course-valid with the introduction of the euro-coins in the year 2002 one had agreed on European level first to leave it provisionally with the well-known national backs of the course coins. The population should get accustomed only once to the new change. Now the European commission in coordination with the governments of the euro-countries waived this restriction starting from the year 2004 for the 2 Euro coin. Greece premiere as the first country of the monetary union Greece uses the new freedom. On the occasion of the presentation of the Olympia intending coins too „2004 “in November in Berlin the director of many years of the national mint Athens, Konstantin Karkazis explained Athens that the Greek government had seized the resolution to publish 2004 from cause of the Olympic summer games such a coin. As motive a Discus thrower is intended. In addition the five Olympic rings are to be represented on only 2 Euro coin shaped with the year 2004. The height of the edition was not announced yet, however probably lies in the million-range. The 2 Euro coin, at the beginning of the yearly in Greece is in circulation given to be seen, is as addition to the precious metal program of the country. It is with the own population, in addition, beyond the borders of the organizer country for the sporty major event recruit - the classical auxiliary function of a coin already in the antiquity.