National sides

Belgium's euro coins were designed by Jan Alfons Keustermans, Director of the Municipal Academy of Fine Arts of Turnhout. There are two series of coins in circulation. Both are valid. The more recent design, shown here, shows King Albert II, the royal monogram and the year of issuance in the inner part of the coin.

10, 20 and 50-cent coins: the Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of the division of Germany and its subsequent unification, is the motif used on these coins. The perspective of the design, by Reinhard Heinsdorff, emphasises the opening of the gate, stressing the unification of Germany and Europe.

The design for the national side of Estonia’s coins is the same for all denominations. It features a geographical image of Estonia and the word “Eesti”, which means “Estonia”.

The Government of Ireland decided on a single national design for all Irish coin denominations. They show the Celtic harp, a traditional symbol of Ireland, decorated with the year of issue and the inscription “Éire” − the Irish word for Ireland. The harp shown was designed by Jarlath Hayes.

Rigas Fereos (Velestinlis) (1757-98) is featured on this coin. He was a forerunner and leading figure of the Greek enlightenment, as well as a visionary and herald of Balkan liberation from Ottoman rule.

10, 20 and 50-cent coins: Miguel de Cervantes, the father of Spanish literature, is shown on these coins, reflecting “the universality of the man and his work”.

10, 20 and 50-cent coins: the theme of the sower is a constant in the history of the French franc. Designed by Laurent Jorlo, “this modern, timeless graphic represents France, which stays true to itself, whilst integrating into Europe”.

This coin commemorates one of the greatest triumphs in Italian art. It shows one of the most famous works in the world, the “Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli.

(since 1 January 2008)

Featured on the 10, 20 and 50-cent coins is the Kyrenia ship, a trading vessel which dates back to the fourth century BC and a symbol of Cyprus’s seafaring history and its importance as a centre of trade.

Yvette Gastauer-Claire designed the coins by agreement with the Royal Household and the Luxembourg Government. All the Luxembourg coins bear the profile of His Royal Highness the Grand Duke Henri. They also bear the year of issue and the word “Luxembourg” written in Luxembourgish (“Lëtzebuerg”).

(since 1 January 2008)

The 10, 20 and 50-cent coins bear the Emblem of Malta, a shield displaying a heraldic representation of the Maltese national flag and supporting a mural crown that represents the fortifications of Malta and denotes a city state. The shield is bounded on the left by an olive branch and on the right by a palm branch, symbols of peace traditionally associated with Malta, forming a wreath tied at its base by a ribbon which carries the inscription “Repubblika ta’ Malta” (Republic of Malta).

1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50-cent coins: Queen Beatrix is shown in profile encircled by the inscription “Beatrix Queen of The Netherlands” in Dutch.

St. Stephen's Cathedral, one of the jewels of Viennese Gothic architecture and a popular tourist venue, is depicted on this coin.

10, 20 and 50-cent coins: these depict the royal seal of 1142 as the centrepiece of the design.

This coin features architect Jože Plečnik’s unrealised plan for the Slovenian Parliament.

(since 1 January 2009)

The 10, 20 and 50 cent coins show Bratislava castle and the national emblem of Slovakia.

1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50-cent coins: these show the Finnish heraldic lion in a reproduction of a design by the sculptor Heikki Häiväoja. The heraldic lion in a variety of designs has been used on several Finnish coins over the years, for example on the 1 markka coins between 1964 and 2001.

HSH Prince Albert’s monogram is depicted on the 10, 20 and 50-cent coins.

The 10-cent coin features the Basilica of Saint Marinus.

 The third series, issued in April 2006, shows His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and the legend “CITTÀ DEL VATICANO”. To the right of his portrait are the year (“2006”) and the mint mark (“R”). To the left are the designer’s initials (“DL”).