Editing Euro coins

{{Short description|Eight coins introduced in 2002}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
[[File:Euro coins (16).jpg|thumb|right|The eight euro coins. Four show the obverse designs from different countries (Croatian €2, Maltese 50c, French 5c, and Slovenian 1c); the remainder show the shared reverse.]]
There are eight '''euro coin''' denominations, ranging from one cent to two [[euro]]<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/html/index.en.html|title=Coins|website=European Central Bank|date=12 August 2021 |last1=Bank |first1=European Central }}</ref> (the euro is divided into a hundred cents). The coins first came into use in 2002. They have a common [[Obverse and reverse|reverse]], portraying a map of [[Europe]], but each country in the [[eurozone]] has its own design on the [[Obverse and reverse|obverse]], which means that each coin has a variety of different designs in circulation at once. Four [[European microstates]] that are not members of the European Union ([[Andorra]], [[Monaco]], [[San Marino]], and [[Vatican City]]) use the euro as their currency and also have the right to mint coins with their own designs on the obverse side.

The coins, and various [[€2 commemorative coins|commemorative coins]], are minted at numerous national mints across the [[eurozone]] to strict national quotas. Not every eurozone member state has its own mint. Obverse designs are chosen nationally, while the reverse and the currency as a whole is managed by the [[European Central Bank]] (ECB).

==History==
{{Eurozone labelled map interior|float=right}}
{{main|History of the euro}}
The [[euro]] came into existence on 1 January 1999.<ref name="Introduction">{{cite web|url=http://www.ecb.int/euro/intro/html/index.en.html |title=ECB: Introduction|work=ECB|date=12 November 2020}}</ref> It had been a goal of the [[European Union]] (EU) and its predecessors since the 1960s.<ref name="Introduction"/> The [[Maastricht Treaty]] entered into force in 1993 with the goal of creating [[economic and monetary union]] by 1999 for all [[Member States of the European Union|EU states]] except the United Kingdom and Denmark (even though Denmark has a fixed exchange rate policy with the euro).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://specials.ft.com/euro/FT3O9H0O2PC.html |title=FT.com – The history of the euro |work=Financial Times |date=21 May 2002 |access-date=13 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510194748/http://specials.ft.com/euro/FT3O9H0O2PC.html |archive-date=May 10, 2013 }}</ref>

In 1999, the currency was born virtually and in 2002 notes and coins began to circulate.<ref name="Introduction"/> It rapidly replaced the former [[Currencies of the European Union|national currencies]] and the [[Enlargement of the eurozone|eurozone has since expanded]] further to some [[Enlargement of the European Union|newer EU states]].<ref name="Introduction"/> In 2009 the [[Lisbon Treaty]] formalised its political authority, the [[Eurogroup]], alongside the [[European Central Bank]].<ref name="Eurogroup history">{{cite web | url=http://eurozone.europa.eu/eurogroup/history/ | title=History of the Eurogroup – Eurozone | publisher=eurozone.europa.eu | work=Eurogroup | access-date=2 July 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715083610/http://www.eurozone.europa.eu/eurogroup/history/ | archive-date=2013-07-15 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2004, [[€2 commemorative coins]] were allowed to be minted in six states.<ref name="ECB 2004 commemorative coinage">{{cite web | url=http://www.ecb.int/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2004.en.html | title=ECB: 2004 | work=ECB | access-date=2 July 2013}}</ref> By 2007, all states but [[France]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] and the [[Netherlands]] had minted a commemorative issue<ref>
* {{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/cash/commemorative/france_en.htm |title=France – European Commission |work=European Commission |access-date=2 July 2013}}
* {{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/cash/commemorative/ireland_en.htm |title=Ireland – European Commission |work=European Commission |access-date=2 July 2013}}
* {{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/cash/commemorative/netherlands_en.htm |title=The Netherlands – European Commission |work=European Commission |access-date=2 July 2013}}</ref> and the [[€2 commemorative coins#2007 commonly issued coin|first eurozone-wide commemorative coin]] was issued to celebrate 50&nbsp;years of the [[Treaty of Rome]].<ref name="ECB 2007 commemorative coinage">{{cite web | url=http://www.ecb.int/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2007.en.html | title=ECB: 2007 | work=ECB | access-date=2 July 2013}}</ref> In 2009, the [[€2 commemorative coin#2009 commonly issued coin|second eurozone-wide issue of a 2-euro commemorative coin]] was issued, celebrating ten years of the [[Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union|Economic and Monetary Union]] (EMU).<ref name="ECB 2009 commemorative coinage">{{cite web | url=http://www.ecb.int/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2009.en.html | title=ECB: 2009 | work=ECB | access-date=2 July 2013}}</ref>

In 2012, the [[€2 commemorative coin#2012 commonly issued coin|third eurozone-wide issue of a 2-euro commemorative coin]] was issued, celebrating 10&nbsp;years of euro coins and [[Euro banknotes|notes]].<ref name="ECB 2012 commemorative coinage">{{cite web | url=http://www.ecb.int/euro/coins/comm/html/comm_2012.en.html | title=ECB: 2012 | work=ECB | access-date=2 July 2013}}</ref> [[Cyprus]] did not independently issue a €2&nbsp;commemorative coin until 2017.<ref>
* {{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/cash/commemorative/cyprus_en.htm |title=Cyprus – European Commission |work=European Commission |access-date=2 July 2013}}
* {{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/cash/commemorative/estonia_en.htm |title=Estonia – European Commission |work=European Commission |access-date=2 July 2013}}
* {{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/cash/commemorative/ireland_en.htm |title=Ireland – European Commission |work=European Commission |access-date=2 July 2013}}</ref>

As the [[Member state of the European Union|EU's membership]] has since expanded in [[2004 enlargement of the European Union|2004]], [[2007 enlargement of the European Union|2007]] and [[2013 enlargement of the European Union|2013]],<ref>
*{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/enlargement/2004_and_2007_enlargement/e50017_en.htm |title=The 2004 enlargement: the challenge of a 25-member EU |publisher=europa.eu |work=EUROPA |access-date=2 July 2013 }}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.eu2007.de/en/About_the_EU/Enlargement_Process/index.html |title=EU2007.de – Continuing the enlargement process |work=EU2007.de |access-date=2 July 2013 |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090715051746/http%3A//www.eu2007.de/en/About_the_EU/Enlargement_Process/index.html |archive-date=2009-07-15 |url-status=usurped }}
* {{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jul/01/croatia-latest-member-eu-periphery |title=Croatia has become the latest member of the EU periphery |newspaper=The Guardian |date=1 July 2013 |access-date=2 July 2013 |author=Stiks, Igor }}</ref> with [[Enlargement of the European Union|further expansions envisaged]], the common face of all euro coins from the value of 10c and above were redesigned in 2007 to show a new map.<ref name="Common side specification"/>

[[Slovenia]] joined the [[eurozone]] in 2007, [[Cyprus]] and [[Malta]] joined in 2008, [[Slovakia]] in 2009, [[Estonia]] in 2011, [[Latvia]] in 2014, [[Lithuania]] in 2015 and [[Croatia]] in 2023, introducing eight more national-side designs.<ref name="Interactive map of eurozone">{{cite web |url=https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/intro/html/index.en.html |title=Our money |date=12 December 2022 |publisher=[[European Central Bank]] |access-date=1 January 2023}}</ref>

[[Andorra]] started minting coins in 2014, so by 2023 there are 24 countries with their own national sides in circulation.

[[Bulgaria]] is the last EU member state to announce its [[Bulgarian euro coins|national design]]. The design of the euro coins was officially chosen by the [[Bulgarian National Bank]] in November 2023<ref name="BGcoins2">{{Cite web |date=17 November 2023 |title=The design of future Bulgarian euro coins has been approved |url=https://bnr.bg/en/post/101909237/the-design-of-future-bulgarian-euro-coins-has-been-approved |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=Radio Bulgaria}}</ref> and approved by the Council of the EU in February 2024.<ref name="BGcoinsApproved">{{cite web |date=12 February 2024 |title=Press release (12 February 2024) |url=https://bnb.bg/AboutUs/PressOffice/POPressReleases/POPRDate/PR_20240212_EN |access-date=18 February 2024 |publisher=Bulgarian National Bank}}</ref> The minting of the coins in the necessary quantities will start shortly after the Council of the EU approves Bulgaria to adopt the euro, so that they can be put into circulation from the date of introduction of the euro in Bulgaria.<ref name="BGcoinsApproved2">{{cite web |date=12 February 2024 |title=Press release (12 February 2024) |url=https://bnb.bg/AboutUs/PressOffice/POPressReleases/POPRDate/PR_20240212_EN |access-date=18 February 2024 |publisher=Bulgarian National Bank}}</ref>

== Specification ==
	
There are eight different denominations of euro coins: €0.01, €0.02, €0.05, €0.10, €0.20, €0.50, €1.00 and&nbsp;€2.00<ref name="Common side specification"/> The €0.01, €0.02 and €0.05&nbsp;coins show Europe in relation to [[Asia]] and [[Africa]] in the world.<ref name="Common side specification"/> The remaining coins show the EU before its enlargement in May 2004 if minted before 1 January 2007, a map of Europe if minted after.<ref name="Common side specification"/> Coins from [[Austria]], [[Italy]], [[San Marino]], [[Portugal]] and the [[Vatican City]] show the map if minted in 2008 or later.<ref name="Common side specification"/>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
| [[File: 1 Cent-Vatican-Franciscus-Series 1.jpg |115px]] 
| [[File:1€-Vatican Franciscus-Revers.jpg|1€-Vatican_Franciscus-Revers| 115px]] 
| [[File:1€-Vatican-Benedikt XVI-Revers.jpg |115px]] 
|-
|}

Vatican Euro coins with images of [[Pope Francis]] and [[Pope Benedict XVI]]

The common side was designed by [[Luc Luycx]] of the [[Royal Belgian Mint]].<ref name="ECB Coin main page">{{cite web | url=http://www.ecb.int/euro/coins/html/index.en.html | title=ECB: Coins | work=ECB | access-date=1 July 2013}}</ref> They symbolise the unity of the EU.<ref name="ECB Coin main page"/> The national sides were designed by the national central banks of the [[Eurosystem]] in separate competitions. There are specifications which apply to all coins such as the requirement of including [[Flag of Europe|twelve stars]]. National designs were not allowed to change until the end of 2008, unless a monarch (whose portrait usually appears on the coins) dies or abdicates. National designs have seen some changes due to a new rule stating that national designs should include the name of the issuing country.<ref name="Common guidelines on national sides - EC">{{cite web | url=http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/economic_and_monetary_affairs/introducing_euro_practical_aspects/l25089_en.htm | title=Common guidelines: the national sides of euro coins | publisher=europa.eu | work=Europa | date=19 January 2007 | access-date=1 August 2013}}</ref>

The common side of the €0.01, €0.02 and €0.05&nbsp;coins depict the denomination, the words 'EURO CENT' beside it, twelve stars and Europe highlighted on a globe in relation to [[Asia]] and [[Africa]] in the world. The common side of the €0.10, €0.20 and €0.50 coins currently depict the denomination on the right, the words 'EURO CENT' underneath it, with twelve stars and the [[Europe|European continent]] on the left.

Coins minted from 1999 to 2006 depicted only the EU15, rather than the entire European continent, which is on coins minted after 2007. The common side of the €1 and €2&nbsp;coins depict the denomination on the left, the currency, map of Europe and twelve stars on the right. Similarly, coins minted from 1999 to 2006 depicted the EU15, rather than the whole European continent, which is on coins minted from 2007.<ref name="Common side specification"/><ref name="EC - Euro coins">{{cite web | url=http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/cash/coins/ | title=Euro coins – European Commission | publisher=ec.europa.eu | work=Europa | date=14 May 2013 | access-date=1 August 2013}}</ref><br />
The 1c, 2c and 5c&nbsp;coins, however, keep their old design, showing a geographical map of Europe with the 15&nbsp;member states of 2002 raised somewhat above the rest of the map.

{| class=wikitable style=font-size:90%
|+ <big>Euro coins – Common side<ref name="Common side specification">{{cite web | url=https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/common/html/index.en.html | title=ECB: Common sides | publisher=European Central Bank | work=ecb.int | access-date=2020-04-04}}</ref> </big>
! Value 
!Image 
(1999-2007)
! Image<br />(2007–present)
! colspan="2"| Main<br />colour
! colspan="2"| Secon&shy;dary<br />colour
! Dia&shy;meter<br />(mm) !! Thick&shy;ness<br />(mm)
! Mass<br />(g) !! Composition !! Edge
|-
! [[1 euro cent coin|1c]]{{anchor|5}}
! colspan="2" |[[File:1 cent euro coin common side.png|105px|link=1 euro cent coin]]
| rowspan=3 style="width:1px; background:#CD7F32" |
| rowspan=3 | Bronze
| rowspan=6 colspan=2 style=width:1px | None
| 16.25 || 1.67 || 2.30 || rowspan=3 | Copper-covered steel || Smooth
|-
! [[2 euro cent coin|2c]]{{anchor|2}}
! colspan="2" |[[File:2 eurocent common 1999.png|121px|link=2 euro cent coin]]
| 18.75 || 1.67 || 3.06 || Smooth with a groove
|-
! [[5 euro cent coin|5c]]{{anchor|20}}
! colspan="2" |[[File:5 eurocent common 1999.png|137px|link=5 euro cent coin]]
| 21.25 || 1.67 || 3.92 || Smooth
|-
! [[10 euro cent coin|10c]]{{anchor|50}}
![[File:Common face of 10 cent euro coin (first series).jpeg|128px|link=10 euro cent coin]]
! [[File:10 eurocent common 2007.png|128px|link=10 euro cent coin]]
| rowspan=3 style=background:#FFD700 | || rowspan=3 | Gold
| 19.75 || 1.93 || 4.10 || rowspan=3 |[[Nordic Gold]] || Shaped edge with fine scallops
|-
! [[20 euro cent coin|20c]]{{anchor|100}}
![[File:Common face of 20 cent euro coin (first series).jpeg|144px|link=20 euro cent coin]]
! [[File:20 eurocent common 2007.png|144px|link=20 euro cent coin]]
| 22.25 || 2.14 || 5.74 || Plain with seven indents ([[Spanish Flower]])
|-
! [[50 euro cent coin|50c]]{{anchor|200}}
![[File:Common face of 50 eurocent coin (first series).jpeg|157px|link=50 euro cent coin]]
! [[File:50 eurocent common 2007.png|157px|link=50 euro cent coin]]
| 24.25 || 2.38 || 7.80 || Shaped edge with fine scallops
|-
! [[1 euro coin|€1]]{{anchor|500}}
![[File:Common face of one euro coin (first series).jpg|150px|link=1 euro coin]]
! [[File:Common face of one euro coin.png|150px|link=1 euro coin]]
| style=background:#C0C0C0| || Silver
| style=background:#FFD700| || Gold
| 23.25 || 2.33 || 7.50
| Outer part: [[nickel brass]]<br /> Inner part: Layers of [[Copper nickel|copper-nickel]],<br /> [[nickel]], copper-nickel
| Interrupted milled
|-
! [[2 euro coin|€2]]{{anchor|500}}
![[File:Common face of two euro coin.png|150px|link=2 euro coin]]
![[File:Common face of two euro coin (2007).jpg|frameless|150x150px|link=2 euro coin]]
| style=background:#FFD700| || Gold
| style=background:#C0C0C0| || Silver
| 25.75 || 2.20 || 8.50
| Outer part: copper-nickel<br /> Inner part: Layers of nickel brass,<br /> nickel, nickel brass.
| Fine milled with edge lettering ([[2 euro coin#Edges|varies according to issuing state]])
|}

== Design ==
=== Common side ===
All coins have a common [[obverse and reverse#Coins of the European Union|reverse]] side showing how much the coin is worth, with a design by Belgian designer [[Luc Luycx]].<ref name="Common side specification"/> The design of the 1c, 2c and 5c&nbsp;coins shows [[Europe|Europe's]] place in the world as a whole,<ref name="Common side specification"/> The 10c&nbsp;coins and above show either the 15&nbsp;countries that were the European Union in 2002, or, if minted after 2007, the whole European continent,<ref name="Common side specification"/> along with Luc Luycx's signature, which is visible as two L letters connected together (LL). Coins from [[Italian euro coins|Italy]], [[San Marino euro coins|San Marino]], the [[Vatican euro coins|Vatican]], [[Austrian euro coins|Austria]] and [[Portuguese euro coins|Portugal]] show the new design if minted 2008 or later.<ref name="Common side specification"/> The coins symbolise the unity of the EU.<ref name="ECB Coin main page"/>

==== Current design ====
On 2005 June 7, the European Council decided that the common side of the 10 euro cent to €2 coins should be brought up to date to reflect the [[2004 enlargement of the European Union|enlargement of the EU in 2004]].<ref name="EC - Euro coins"/> The 1c, 2c and 5c&nbsp;coins show Europe in relation to the rest of the world, therefore they remained unchanged.<ref name="EC - Euro coins"/> In 2007, the new design was introduced.<ref name="Common side specification"/> The design still retains all elements of the original designs, including the [[Flag of Europe|twelve stars]], but the map of the fifteen states is replaced by one showing the whole of Europe as a continent, without borders, to stress unity.<ref name="Common side specification"/><ref name="EC - Euro coins"/> These coins were not mandatory for existing [[eurozone]] members when introduced in 2007, but became so for every member in 2008.<ref name="EC - Euro coins"/>

Starting in 2017 the 1, 2, and 5&nbsp;euro cent coins from individual member states have started adjusting their common side design to a new version, identified by smaller and more rounded numeral and longer lines outside of the stars at the coin's circumference.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces107.html|title = 5 Euro Cent, Germany}}</ref>

[[Cyprus]] is shown several hundred kilometers northwest of its real position in order to include it on the map. On the €1 and €2&nbsp;coins, the island is shown to be directly east of mainland [[Greece]]; on the €0.10, €0.20 and €0.50&nbsp;coins, it appears directly below [[Crete]]. The original proposal from the [[European Commission]] was to include [[Turkey]] on the map, but this design was rejected by the [[Council of the European Union|Council]].

==== Initial design ====
The original designs of the 10c, 20c and 50c&nbsp;coins showed the outline of each of the 15&nbsp;EU member states. Each state was shown as separate from the others, thus giving Europe the appearance of an [[archipelago]]. EU member states outside the [[eurozone]] ([[Denmark]], [[Sweden]], and the [[United Kingdom]]) were also depicted. Non-EU states were not depicted.

On the €1 and €2 coins, the landmass appeared more cohesive although borders were indicated. As in current issues, all coins featured 12&nbsp;stars in their design.

The year featured on the coins can date back to 1999, when the currency was formally established (only [[Belgian euro coins|Belgian]], [[Dutch euro coins|Dutch]], [[Finnish euro coins|Finnish]], [[French euro coins|French]] and [[Spanish euro coins|Spanish]] coins were struck with the 1999 date). These countries traditionally strike coins with the year of minting rather than the year it was put into circulation.

Researchers from the [[University of Zürich]] warned that an external ring of metal surrounding an inner pill of a different colour, as in the euro coins, can lead to the release of high levels of nickel, causing allergic reactions with people sensitive to the metal. The researchers also warned that the coins could contain between 240 and 320&nbsp;times the amount of nickel allowed under the EU nickel directive.<ref name="Euro allergic reaction">{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2251152.stm | title=BBC NEWS Health Euro coins 'trigger allergy' | publisher=bbc.co.uk | work=BBC News | date=12 September 2002 | access-date=1 August 2013}}</ref>

=== National sides ===
{{See also|List of Euro coin series|Identifying marks on euro coins}}

The [[obverse and reverse|obverse]] side varies from state to state, with each member allowed to choose its own design. Each of the eight coins can have the same design (such as [[Irish euro coins|Irish coins]]), or can vary from coin to coin (such as [[Italian euro coins|Italian coins]]). In monarchies, the national side usually features a portrait of the country's monarch, often in a design carried over from the former currency (e.g. [[Belgian euro coins|Belgian coins]]). Republics tend to feature national monuments, symbols, or stylised designs (such as [[French euro coins|French coins]]). Engravings on the edge of the €2 coin are also subject to national choice.

There are at present no plans to abolish the national designs in favour of a common European one. However, the [[European Commission|Commission]] has proposed that the 1c, 2c and 5c&nbsp;coins have a common design to keep costs down.<ref name="5yrs. Euro coins & notes"/>

Though they are not members of the EU, [[Monaco]], [[San Marino]], and the [[Vatican City]] (and [[Andorra]] since 2014) also have euro coins featuring a national side, but a considerable number of these coins were not put into general circulation by the authorities who instead sold them to collectors for prices higher than their face value.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/world/outside_euro_area/index_en.htm |title=The euro outside the euro area |work=ec.europa.eu |date=5 July 2011|access-date=10 September 2011}}</ref> Due to this, in 2012, a European Regulation established that: "A&nbsp;minor proportion, not exceeding 5 % of the cumulated total net value and volume of circulation coins issued by a Member State, taking into account only years with positive net issuance, may be put on the market above face value if justified by the special quality of the coin, a special packaging or any additional services provided".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32012R0651&qid=1669809676853&from=en |title=REGULATION (EU) No 651/2012 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 4 July 2012 on the issuance of euro coins |access-date=30 November 2022 |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130120925/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32012R0651&qid=1669809676853&from=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

No [[Special territories of members of the European Economic Area|territories associated with eurozone countries]] issue their own euro coins. [[CFP franc|France]] and the [[Dutch Caribbean|Netherlands]] have overseas regions with their own currencies.

As of 2023, 24 countries issue euro coins with their own national sides, for a total 192&nbsp;different euro coins, not counting annual differences or commemorative coins.

==== Regulations ====
The basis for the euro coins is derived from a European recommendation from 2003, which allowed changing the national obverse sides of euro coins from 1 January 2004 onwards.<ref>{{cite journal |title=OJ 2003/C 247/03 – New national side of euro coins intended for circulation |journal=Official Journal of the European Union |date=15 October 2003 |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2003:247:0005:0006:EN:PDF |access-date=11 November 2021 }}</ref> However, a number of recommendations and restrictions still apply.

Euro coins must still have a common reverse side, so only the national obverse sides may be varied. Also, the standard national obverse sides ''per se'' should not be changed before 2008 at the earliest, unless the [[head of state]] depicted on some coins changes before then. (This clause already came into effect for Monaco and the Vatican City, whose [[head of state|heads of state]]—[[Rainier III, Prince of Monaco|Rainier&nbsp;III]] and [[Pope John Paul&nbsp;II]] respectively—died in 2005 and whose national obverse sides were changed for 2006).

In 2005, another recommendation added two more guidelines regarding the design of the coins. The state issuing a coin should in some way clearly be identified on the obverse side, either by stating the full name or a clearly identifiable abbreviation of it; and neither name nor the denomination of the coin should be repeated on the obverse, as it is already featured on the common reverse side.<ref>{{cite journal |title=OJ 2005/L 186/01 |journal=Official Journal of the European Union |date=18 July 2005 |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_186/l_18620050718en00010002.pdf}}</ref>

These restrictions do not apply retroactively; only new designs—the national obverse sides for regular issues of states newly joining the euro or of eurozone states which change their design, and €2&nbsp;commemorative coins issued from 2006 onwards—are subject to them. However, the five countries whose designs violated the first update to the rules ([[Austria]], [[Belgium]], [[Finland]], [[Germany]] and [[Greece]]) initially were assumed to have to change their design in the future, which Finland did for 2007<ref>{{cite press release |title=Designs of euro coins will be amended in 2007 |publisher=[[Bank of Finland]] |date=27 December 2006 |url=http://www.bof.fi/en/suomen_pankki/ajankohtaista/tiedotteet/2006/tiedote33_2006.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212193518/http://www.bof.fi/en/suomen_pankki/ajankohtaista/tiedotteet/2006/tiedote33_2006.htm |archive-date=12 December 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and Belgium for 2008.

In 2008, another recommendation changed the rules again:<ref>{{cite journal |title=OJ 2009/L 9/52 |journal=Official Journal of the European Union |date=14 January 2009 |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:009:0052:0055:EN:PDF}}</ref>
* The twelve stars of the [[European Union]] surrounding the coin designs need to surround the national design, including year marks and the name of the country. The stars have to appear in the same way as they are aligned on the flag of the European Union.
* The design of euro coins may not be changed except for two specific circumstances:
** If a coin design is in violation of the recommendations, it may be updated to bring it into line with them.
** If a coin design depicts a head of state, it may be updated:
::# every fifteen years to bring it into line with the head of state's current appearance;
::# if the head of state abdicates or dies. However, temporary heads of state may not be used as a reason for changing the design; instead a €2&nbsp;commemorative coin (potentially a second €2&nbsp;commemorative coin) will be allowed to be issued.

Finland and Belgium had already corrected their design on the coins issued to include the initials of the country in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Belgium was forced to change its design back to show the original portrait of its monarch, because the 2008 update to follow the recommendations also updated the portrait, which was against the rules. The Belgian coins from 2009 onwards show the original royal portrait of 1999, but otherwise keep the new 2008 coin design as far as the country identification and year mark are concerned. These provisions additionally prohibit further ''[[sede vacante]]'' sets of coins by the Vatican City, allowing only commemorative coins for such occasions. Finland and Spain updated their designs to meet the new rules about the stars in 2008 and 2010, respectively.

In 2012, a European Regulation approved new specifications of euro coins and named (in article 1&nbsp;g) a deadline for national sides of regular coins to be updated to fully comply with the current regulation: 20 June 2062.<ref>[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:169:0008:0010:en:PDF EU Council Regulation No. 566/2012 of 18 June 2012: Specifications of euro coins] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125183412/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:169:0008:0010:en:PDF |date=25 November 2022 }} (PDF) Retrieved 21 June 2013</ref>
* The national side of circulation coins shall not repeat any indication of the denomination, or any parts thereof, of the coin. It shall not repeat the name of the single currency or of its subdivision, unless such indication stems from the use of a different alphabet. However, the edge lettering of the 2-euro coin may include an indication of the denomination, provided that only the figure&nbsp;"2" or the term "euro" in the relevant alphabet, or both, are used.
* The national side of all denominations of circulation coins shall bear an indication of the issuing Member State by means of the Member State's name or an abbreviation of it.
* The national side of circulation coins shall bear a circle of 12&nbsp;stars that shall fully surround the national design, including the year mark and the indication of the issuing Member State's name. This shall not prevent some design elements from extending into the circle of stars, provided that the stars are all clearly and fully visible. The 12&nbsp;stars shall be depicted as on the Union flag.
* Changes to the designs used for the national sides of regular coins may only be made once every 15&nbsp;years, without prejudice to changes necessary to prevent counterfeiting of the currency. Without prejudice of the previous, changes to the designs used for the national sides of regular coins may be made where the Head of State referred to on a coin changes. However, a temporary vacancy or the provisional occupation of the function of Head of State shall not give any additional right to such change.
* Issuing Member States shall update their national sides of regular coins in order to fully comply with this Regulation by 20 June 2062.

In 2014, a new Regulation regarding euro coins was approved. In it, no changes related to what was mentioned above were established.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32014R0729&from=en |title=COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) No 729/2014 of 24 June 2014 on denominations and technical specifications of euro coins intended for circulation |access-date=25 November 2022 |archive-date=13 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213010736/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32014R0729&from=EN |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{As of|2016}}, Belgium, Monaco, the Netherlands, Spain and Vatican City have all experienced a change in head of state and have revised their designs to reflect this and the new regulation where applicable.

In 2022, France came to comply with the stars' rule after the design change it made on the 1 and 2&nbsp;euro coins, in which the year had until then been inserted between the stars of the Union.

{{As of|2023}}, Austria, Germany and Greece still have to include an indication of the issuing Member State. Additionally, Greece, Luxembourg and Slovenia have to comply with the rule of the stars. Finally, Austria must eliminate the denominations on the national side of their euro coins.

Bear in mind that the foregoing refers to "regular" coins since, in the case of the [[2&nbsp;euro commemorative coins]], the aforementioned is fulfilled in all coins since 2013. This is due to the fact that each one of these coins supposes a variation in the design, while, as mentioned, "regular" coins were not affected unless the design of the national sides was changed, and have until June 20, 2062 in the event that the design had not been changed before.

Finally, the different States must inform each other of their new draft designs (both of "regular" and 2&nbsp;euro commemorative coins), as well as the European Council and the European Commission, which must give its approval. In one example, the initial design of Andorran 10, 20 and 50&nbsp;cent coins did not obtain EU approval because the image of the ''Pantokrator of San Martí de la Cortinada'', included in those coins, violated the principle of religious neutrality. The image of the religious figure was eliminated in the final Andorran coin design. Another example, the 2&nbsp;euro commemorative coins that Belgium planned to issue in 2015 on the 200th anniversary of the [[Battle of Waterloo]], caused complaints by France and withdrawal of the design. However, Belgium did issue a 2.50&nbsp;euro collector's coin, taking advantage of the fact that these coins are not submitted to the draft design approval.

=== Security features ===
Euro coins have high-security machine-readable features.<ref name="ECB Coin security features">{{cite web | url=http://www.ecb.int/euro/coins/security/html/index.en.html | title=ECB: Security features | work=ECB | access-date=2 July 2013}}</ref> Sophisticated bi-metal and sandwich technologies have been put into the €1 and €2&nbsp;coins.<ref name="ECB Coin security features"/> The 10c, 20c and 50c&nbsp;coins are made of [[Nordic gold]], which is a unique alloy, difficult to melt and used exclusively for coins.<ref name="ECB Coin security features"/> The lettering on the edge of the €2&nbsp;coin also protects it from counterfeiting.<ref name="ECB Coin security features"/>

=== Features for persons with impaired sight ===
Euro coins were designed in cooperation with organisations representing [[blindness|blind]] people, and as a result incorporate many features allowing them to be distinguished by touch alone. In addition, their visual appearance is designed to make them easy to tell apart for persons who cannot read the inscriptions on the coins.

The coins increase in size and weight with value. Of the eight denominations of euro coins, the three lowest denominations are small, resemble copper in colour and are quite thin and light. The next three denominations resemble gold in colour and are thicker as well as heavier. The highest two denominations are bimetallic, being generally larger and thicker than the lower denominations.

In general, the greater the value, the heavier and larger the coin. Copper colour identifies low value; gold colour identifies medium value; two different metals identify high value.

There are also differences within each group. The 2&nbsp;cent coin has a grooved edge to distinguish it from the 1 and 5&nbsp;cent coins and also from the [[US&nbsp;penny]], which has the same colour and diameter. Similarly, the 20&nbsp;cent coin edge is smooth with seven indents to distinguish it from the 10 and 50&nbsp;cent coins.

While currencies predating the euro were specifically designed in similar ways (different sizes, colours, and ridges) to aid the visually impaired, the euro was the first to have authorities consult organisations representing the blind and visually impaired before the release of the currency.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

==Commemorative issues==
{{main|2 euro commemorative coins}}
Each state may also mint two [[2&nbsp;euro commemorative coins]] each year from June 2012. From 2004 to May 2012, countries were only allowed to mint one coin per year. Only €2&nbsp;coins may be used in this way (for them to be legal tender) and there is a limit on the number that can be issued. The coin must adhere to the normal design criteria, such as the [[Flag of Europe|twelve stars]], the year and the issuing country.

[[Greece]] was the first country to issue a commemorative coin, and was followed by other countries. In 2007, every [[eurozone]] state participated in the [[Treaty of Rome]] programme, in which all member states issued a coin of similar design to commemorate the signing of the Treaty, only differing in the name of the issuing country and language of the text. This was also the case in 2009, in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the [[Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union|Economic and Monetary Union]]. The design was selected by electronic voting by EU citizens.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurodesigncontest.eu/index.cfm|date=17 December 2008|title=Commemorating 10 years of Economic and Monetary Union!|website=EuroDesignContest|archive-url=https://archive.today/20081217065642/http://www.eurodesigncontest.eu/index.cfm|archive-date=17 December 2008|access-date=28 February 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, a common commemorative coin was issued to commemorate the tenth anniversary of euro coins and [[euro banknotes|banknotes]]. In 2015, a common commemorative coin was issued to commemorate 30&nbsp;years of the [[European Union flag]]. Finally, in 2022 a common commemorative coin was issued to commemorate 35&nbsp;years of the [[Erasmus Programme]].

In 2006, [[Germany]] began issuing a series of coins, the [[2 euro commemorative coins#German series|German Bundesländer series]], showing each of the [[states of Germany]] on its coins; It was originally intended to run until 2021, but one extra issue was added in 2019, which pushed back the last three planned issues (2019, 2020, 2021) by one year. The series ended in 2022. In 2023 a new series (Bundesländer series&nbsp;II) began until 2038.

[[Spain]] started a commemorative coin series ''{{lang|es|Patrimonio de la Humanidad de la UNESCO}}'' (UNESCO World Heritage) in 2010, commemorating [[UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain|all of Spain's UNESCO World Heritage Sites]], which is currently planned until 2058.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020|url=https://www.zwei-euro.com/spanien/serie-unesco-weltkulturerbestaetten/|title=UNESCO World Heritage Sites Series|access-date=2022-10-23}}</ref> The order in which the coin for a specific site is issued coincides with the order in which they were declared a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage site]].<ref>{{cite web | date=2010-01-19 | url=http://www.zwei-euro.com/news/artikel/a/2010/01/19/article/weitere-ausgaben-der-2-euro-gedenkmuenzenserie-unesco-weltkulturerbestaetten.html | title=''Spanien: Weitere Ausgaben der 2-Euro-Gedenkmünzenserie "UNESCO-Weltkulturerbestätten"'' | access-date=2010-01-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718161301/http://www.zwei-euro.com/news/artikel/a/2010/01/19/article/weitere-ausgaben-der-2-euro-gedenkmuenzenserie-unesco-weltkulturerbestaetten.html | archive-date=2011-07-18 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2021, [[France]] started a commemorative coin series about [[2024 Summer Olympics]]. It finished in 2024.

[[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Luxembourg]], and [[Malta]] have also issued a series of&nbsp;2 euro commemorative coins.

===Gold and silver commemorative issues===
{{main|Euro gold and silver commemorative coins}}
A legacy of old national practice is the minting of silver and gold commemorative coins. Unlike normal issues, these coins are not [[legal tender]] throughout the [[eurozone]], but only in the country where they are issued (e.g. a&nbsp;€10 [[Finland|Finnish]] commemorative coin cannot be used in [[Portugal]]).

However, these gold coins are intended for collectors as their bullion value vastly exceeds their [[face value]]. Some silver coins, such as the [[Germany|German]] €10&nbsp;commemoratives, are often available at banks and some retailers at face value. These coins, however, generally do not circulate but are kept by collectors.

It is uncertain whether the [[Council of the European Union|EU Council of Ministers]] will grant such coins legal tender status outside national boundaries, as [[Monaco]], [[San Marino]], and the [[Vatican City]] also issue this kind of coin.

===Belgian 2.50 euro coin===
In 2015, Belgium issued a 2.50&nbsp;euro commemorative coin which is legal tender inside the country. 70,000&nbsp;coins were minted, commemorating the 200th&nbsp;anniversary of [[Napoleon]]'s defeat in the [[Battle of Waterloo]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Bilefsky |first=Dan |date=9 June 2015 |title=Belgium Commemorates Waterloo With a Coin, and France Is Not Pleased |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/10/world/europe/belgium-commemorates-waterloo-with-euro-and-france-is-not-pleased.html}}</ref>

Belgium originally planned to mint 2&nbsp;euro commemorative coins for the occasion. This plan was blocked by [[France]], however (after 180,000 of the coins had already been minted; they had to be discarded). Minting the 2.50&nbsp;euro denomination obviated France's complaints as the coins are not legal tender in the [[European Union]], only in Belgium.<ref>Jason Karaian. [http://qz.com/423450/frances-whining-wont-stop-belgium-from-minting-coins-commemorating-the-battle-of-waterloo/ "France’s whining won’t stop Belgium from minting coins commemorating the Battle of Waterloo".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104210309/http://qz.com/423450/frances-whining-wont-stop-belgium-from-minting-coins-commemorating-the-battle-of-waterloo/|date=2016-01-04}} ''[[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]]'', 9 June 2015.</ref>

EU law states that any country can issue any new coins it wants as long as they are in an irregular denomination, so it invented a €2.50&nbsp;coin.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/business/shortcuts/2015/jun/10/euro-coin-row-france-wins-the-battle-belgium-wins-the-war Euro coin row: France wins the battle, Belgium wins the war] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902084137/https://www.theguardian.com/business/shortcuts/2015/jun/10/euro-coin-row-france-wins-the-battle-belgium-wins-the-war|date=2018-09-02}} The Guardian June 10, 2015.</ref>

== Circulation ==
The [[European Central Bank]] closely monitors the circulation and stock of the euro coins and [[Euro banknotes|banknotes]]. It is a task of the [[Eurosystem]] to ensure an efficient and smooth supply of euro coins and to maintain their integrity throughout the [[eurozone]].<ref name="Circulation">{{cite web|url=https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/policy_and_exchange_rates/banknotes+coins/circulation/html/index.en.html|title=ECB: Circulation|work=European Central Bank|date=July 2019}}</ref>

=== Statistics ===
As of December 2021, there are approximately 141&nbsp;billion coins in circulation around the eurozone. In contrast, the United States has minted over 300&nbsp;billion pennies since 1983 when the current copper-plated zinc metallic composition began. Using a population of 341.9&nbsp;million for the euro area, that is roughly 199&nbsp;coins of denomination 1c or 2c&nbsp;per capita, and 215&nbsp;other coins per capita.
<!-- (36287489644+27895724396)/341925002 ≈ 187.71, (133437760625-36287489644-27895724396)/341925002 ≈ 202.54 -->

{| class=wikitable style=text-align:right
|-
|+ Statistical data valid December 2021<ref>{{Cite web|title=ECB Statistical Data Warehouse|url=https://sdw.ecb.europa.eu/reports.do?node=1000006517%7Caccess-date=2022-02-05%7Cwebsite=sdw.ecb.europa.eu|access-date=2022-02-05|website=sdw.ecb.europa.eu}}</ref>
!Denomination !! Coins in circulation !!Share !!Value in € !!Share
|-
| style=text-align:center| 1c
|38,120,000,000 ||27.00% ||   381,200,000.00 || 1.22%
|-
| style=text-align:center| 2c
|29,680,000,000 ||21.02% ||   593,600,000.00 || 1.90%
|-
| style=text-align:center| 5c
|23,036,000,000 ||16.32% || 1,151,800,000.00 || 3.69%
|-
| style=text-align:center| 10c
|16,248,000,000 ||11.51% || 1,624,800,000.00 || 5.20%
|-
| style=text-align:center| 20c
|12,725,000,000 || 9.01% || 2,545,000,000.00 || 8.15%
|-
| style=text-align:center| 50c
| 6,711,000,000 || 4.75% || 3,355,500,000.00 ||10.74%
|-
| style=text-align:center| 1€
| 7,747,000,000 || 5.49% || 7,747,000,000.00 ||24.81%
|-
| style=text-align:center| 2€
| 6,916,000,000 || 4.90% ||13,832,000,000.00 ||44.29%
|-
! style=text-align:center| Total
! style=text-align:right |141,183,000,000 !!100.00% !! 31,230,900,000.00 !!100.00%
|}

=== Counterfeiting ===
Approximately 100,000 counterfeit euro coins are taken from circulation annually, and roughly the same number are seized before they can be released. Given a total circulation of 56&nbsp;billion coins, counterfeit coins are relatively rare. About half the counterfeits feature the [[German euro coins|German national design]], but counterfeits have been detected for every issuing country. The majority of counterfeit coins are €2 (60% in 2011), with most of the rest being €1, and a few 50c&nbsp;coins. The number of counterfeit €2&nbsp;coins being found annually is decreasing, while numbers of counterfeit €1 and 50-cent coins are increasing.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Total amount of counterfeit coins seized from circulation
! Year !! Pre-circulation !! Circulation !! Source
|-
| 2017 || 31,059 || 160,914 || <ref name=AntiFraud2017>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/news/economy-finance/eu-wide-progress-tackling-euro-coin-counterfeiting_en|title=EU-wide progress on tackling euro coin counterfeiting in 2017|publisher=Europa.eu |access-date=2019-02-17}}</ref>
|-
| 2016 || 77,084 || 150,258 || <ref name=AntiFraud2017/>
|-
| 2015 || 20 || 146,889 || <ref name=AntiFraud2017/>
|-
| 2014 || 301,970 || 192,195 || <ref name=AntiFraud2017/>
|-
| 2013 || 31,051 || 177,600 || <ref name=AntiFraud2017/>
|-
| 2012 || colspan=2 align="center" | 184,000 || <ref name=EuroCounterfeiting2012>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-105_en.htm |title=EUROPA – Press Releases – Euro coin counterfeiting in 2012 |publisher=Europa.eu |access-date=2019-02-17}}</ref>
|-
| 2011 || colspan=2 align="center" | 157,000 || <ref name=EuroCounterfeiting2011>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/12/81 |title=EUROPA – Press Releases – Euro coin counterfeiting in 2011 |publisher=Europa.eu |access-date=2012-05-24}}</ref>
|-
| 2010 || colspan=2 align="center" | 186,000 || <ref name=EuroCounterfeiting2010>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/47 |title=EUROPA – Press Releases – Euro coin counterfeiting in 2010 |publisher=Europa.eu |access-date=2011-09-08}}</ref>
|-
| 2009 || colspan=2 align="center" | 172,100 || <ref name=EuroCounterfeiting2009>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/2 |title=EUROPA – Press Releases – Euro coin counterfeiting in 2009 |publisher=Europa.eu |access-date=2011-04-10}}</ref>
|-
| 2008 || colspan=2 align="center" | 195,900 || <ref name=EuroCounterfeiting2009/>
|-
| 2007 || colspan=2 align="center" | 211,100 || <ref name=AntiFraud2007>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/10 |title=EUROPA – Press Releases – Euro coin counterfeiting in 2007 |publisher=Europa.eu |access-date=2011-04-10}}</ref>
|-
| 2006 || colspan=2 align="center" | 163,800 || <ref name=AntiFraud2007/>
|-
| 2005 || colspan=2 align="center" | 100,500 || <ref name=AntiFraud2007/>
|-
| 2004 || colspan=2 align="center" | 74,564 || <ref name="AntiFraud2002-2004">{{cite web | url=http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/media-corner/press-releases/press-releases/2005/20050118_01_en.htm | title=European Commission – OLAF – EURO COIN COUNTERFEITING IN 2004 | publisher=ec.europa.eu | work=European Commission | date=18 January 2005 | access-date=22 July 2013}}</ref>
|-
| 2003 || colspan=2 align="center" | 26,191 || <ref name="AntiFraud2002-2004"/>
|-
| 2002 || colspan=2 align="center" | 2,336 || <ref name="AntiFraud2002-2004"/>
|}

The European Technical and Scientific Centre (ETSC) estimates that up to 2&nbsp;million counterfeit coins were put into circulation in 2002.

Recent investigations by the [[European Commission]] have shown that counterfeit sophistication is increasing, making prompt detection more difficult.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.eux.tv/article.aspx?articleId=20053 | title='Most sophisticated' fake euro coin network uncovered in Italy | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405181339/http://www.eux.tv/article.aspx?articleId=20053 | archive-date=2008-04-05 }}</ref> In 2008, Irish [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] [[Eoin Ryan Jnr|Eoin Ryan]] called for tighter regulation over tokens and medals that are being increasingly used for small purchases mainly in vending machines across Europe.<ref name="Euro coins protection">{{cite web | url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?language=en&type=IM-PRESS&reference=20081201STO43283 | title="Euro coins need protection," says Irish MEP Eoin Ryan | publisher=europarl.europa.eu | work=European Parliament | date=1 December 2013 | access-date=1 August 2013}}</ref>

==Small-denomination coins==
{{see also|Withdrawal of low-denomination coins}}
The 1c, 2c, and 5c coins account for approximately 80% of all new coins minted in the [[eurozone]]. Due to the expense of producing such low-value coinage, the Commission and some member states have proposed that costs could be cut by having a common design on both sides of these coins, rather than minting numerous different designs.<ref name="5yrs. Euro coins & notes">{{cite web | url=http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/economic_and_monetary_affairs/introducing_euro_practical_aspects/l25087_en.htm | title=Five years of Euro banknotes and coins | publisher=europa.eu | work=Europa | date=17 January 2007 | access-date=1 August 2013}}</ref>

The €1 and €2 coins are two-toned. The "gold" is an [[alloy]], 75%&nbsp;[[copper]], 20%&nbsp;[[zinc]] and 5%&nbsp;[[nickel]]. The "silver" is [[cupronickel]], 75%&nbsp;copper and 25%&nbsp;nickel.<ref name="copper.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.copperinfo.com/cproducts/consumer.coins.euros.html |title=Consumer coins |publisher=Copperinfo.com |date=2002-01-01 |access-date=2011-07-17 |archive-date=2012-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305202837/http://www.copperinfo.com/cproducts/consumer.coins.euros.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The 10c, 20c and 50c&nbsp;coins are a proprietary alloy known as "[[Nordic Gold]]", consisting of 89%&nbsp;copper, 5% [[aluminium]], 5% zinc and 1% [[tin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.copperinfo.co.uk/faqs/faqs-applications.shtml#q2 |title=What is Nordic Gold |publisher=Copperinfo.co.uk |access-date=2011-07-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725062958/http://www.copperinfo.co.uk/faqs/faqs-applications.shtml |archive-date=2011-07-25 }}</ref> The 1c, 2c, and 5c&nbsp;coins are copper-coated steel [[fourrée]]s.<ref name="copper.com"/> The copper alloys make the coinage [[antimicrobial]].

===Price rounding===
{{image frame
|content=
{{Graph:Chart
 |width=300
 |height=200
 |xAxisTitle=Survey date
 |type=line
 |x=10/2014, 10/2015, 10/2016, 10/2017, 10/2018, 10/2019, 03/2021
 |y1=60, 60, 62, 64, 64, 65, 67
 |y2=37, 38, 36, 33, 33, 33, 31
 |colors=#1c589f, #f2a251
 |showValues= |xGrid=
 |yAxisMin=20
 |yAxisMax=80
 }}
|caption=Percentage of people in favour of abolishing the use of the 1- and 2-euro cent coins.<ref name='abolishment survey' />
{{leftlegend|#1c589f|In favour}} {{leftlegend|#f2a251|Against}}
|width=360
|border=no
}}

The 1c and 2c coins were initially introduced to ensure that the introduction of the euro was not used as an excuse by retailers to heavily round up prices. However, due to the cost of maintaining a circulation of low-value coins, both by business and the mints, [[Belgium]], [[Finland]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], [[Italy]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Slovakia]]  and [[Lithuania]] (starting 1 May 2025) round prices to the nearest five cents ([[Swedish rounding]]) if paying with cash, while producing only a handful of those coins for collectors, rather than general circulation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/save-the-penny-or-leave-the-penny-1.941781 | title=Save the penny or leave the penny? – Business – CBC News | publisher=www.cbc.ca | work=CBC News | date=15 December 2010 | access-date=1 August 2013}}</ref><ref name="ireland wexford">{{Cite press release|title=Central Bank of Ireland – Central Bank announces rollout of rounding of 1c and 2c coins nationally|url=http://www.centralbank.ie/press-area/press-releases/Pages/CentralBankannouncesrolloutofroundingof1cand2ccoinsnationally.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106122037/http://www.centralbank.ie/press-area/press-releases/Pages/CentralBankannouncesrolloutofroundingof1cand2ccoinsnationally.aspx|archive-date=2017-01-06|website=www.centralbank.ie}}</ref><ref name="bel lux">{{Cite web |url=http://www.wort.lu/en/luxembourg/small-change-1-and-2-cent-coins-to-stay-in-luxembourg-52ff495ae4b0f989a09f2707 |title=Luxemburger Wort – Small change – 1 and 2 cent coins to stay in Luxembourg |access-date=2015-07-23 |archive-date=2017-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401142423/http://www.wort.lu/en/luxembourg/small-change-1-and-2-cent-coins-to-stay-in-luxembourg-52ff495ae4b0f989a09f2707 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The coins are still legal tender and produced outside these states.<ref name="BW 230904">[http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040923_2592_db017.htm Small Change, Big Annoyance in Europe] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013191859/http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2004/nf20040923_2592_db017.htm |date=October 13, 2007 }}, [[Business Week]] 2004-09-23</ref>

==== Countries with Swedish rounding ====
The Swedish rounding law in Finland was issued in January 2002, shortly after the coins were put into circulation.

The Netherlands followed suit in September 2004,<ref name="BW 230904" /> under pressure from retail businesses, which claimed that dealing with 1- and 2-cent coins was too expensive. After a successful experiment in the town of [[Woerden]] in May 2004, retailers across the Netherlands were permitted in September 2004 to round cash transactions to the nearest five cents.<ref>{{cite news |first=Stephen |last=Castle |title=Smallest Euro coins dropped by two nations |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20040916/ai_n12808602 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124003944/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20040916/ai_n12808602 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 24, 2007 |work=Independent, The (London) |date=September 16, 2004 |access-date=2008-07-15 }}</ref>

In Belgium, rounding has been common practice since 2014; by law, rounding has been obligatory for cash purchases since 1 December 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/all-news/belgium-all-news/52103/rounding-to-the-nearest-five-cents-will-be-obligatory-for-cash-payments/|title=Rounding to the nearest five cents will be obligatory for cash payments|date=2018-11-24|website=The Brussels Times|language=en|access-date=2020-02-24}}</ref> For payments with debit or credit cards, the merchant can choose whether to apply rounding but has to inform the client beforehand.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/all-news/art-culture/78817/payments-rounded-to-nearest-5-cents-from-december-is-this-the-end-of-1-and-2-cents/|title=Payments rounded to nearest 5 cents from December: the end of 1 and 2 cents?|date=2019-11-15|website=The Brussels Times|language=en|access-date=2020-02-24}}</ref> With the obligatory rounding in effect, Belgium's National Bank has stopped production of 1- and 2-cent coins.<ref name=":0" />

Ireland introduced rounding in 2015 after a 2013 trial in [[Wexford]].<ref name="ireland wexford" /><ref>{{cite journal |journal=Dáil debates |volume=Unrevised |page=57 |url=http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2013052100057?opendocument#WRB01350 |title=Written Answers 23960/13: Euro Coins Production |publisher=Oireachtas |date=21 May 2013 |access-date=26 May 2013}}</ref>

In May 2017, the [[Italian Parliament|Italian parliament]] passed a resolution to stop minting 1c and 2c&nbsp;coins starting 1 January 2018 and to introduce Swedish rounding.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cdt.ch/mondo/cronaca/177184/italia-addio-alle-monetine-da-1-e-2-centesimi|title=Italia, addio alle monetine da 1 e 2 centesimi|date=27 May 2017|work=Corriere del Ticino|access-date=2017-05-28|language=it-IT|archive-date=2018-06-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628015715/http://www.cdt.ch/mondo/cronaca/177184/italia-addio-alle-monetine-da-1-e-2-centesimi|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/italy-to-stop-producing-1-and-2-cent-coins/a-39020206|title=Italy to stop producing 1- and 2-cent coins – DW – 29.05.2017|website=DW.COM}}</ref>

The withdrawal of low-circulation coins is due in part to rising metal prices: [[De Nederlandsche Bank]] calculated it would save $36&nbsp;million a year by not using the smaller coins. Other countries such as Germany favoured retaining the coins due to their desire for €1.99&nbsp;prices, which appear more attractive to the consumer than a €2&nbsp;price.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2004-09-22/small-change-big-annoyance-in-europe | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105153856/http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2004-09-22/small-change-big-annoyance-in-europe | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 5, 2012 | title=Small Change, Big Annoyance in Europe – Businessweek | publisher=www.businessweek.com | work=Bloomberg Businessweek | date=22 September 2004 | access-date=1 August 2013 | author=Tiplady, Rachel}}</ref> According to James Debono writing for ''[[Malta Today]]'', "scrapping the coins is considered unthinkable for Germany where both consumers and retailers are obsessed with precise pricing."<ref name=Debono>{{cite news|last1=Debono|first1=James|title=1c and 2c coins here to stay|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/37856/1c_and_2c_coins_here_to_stay_#.ViW9yCta0To|accessdate=20 October 2015|work=[[Malta Today]]|date=10 April 2014}}</ref> Luxembourg and Malta also declared that they do not wish to remove the coins.<ref name="bel lux" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/37856/1c_and_2c_coins_here_to_stay_#.VbDwH2BDJcW|title=1c and 2c coins here to stay|website=maltatoday.com.mt}}</ref> This is echoed by the [[European Central Bank]] which supports the coins, stating it allows businesses to calculate prices more exactly to attract consumers, such as €0.99.<ref name="1&2 cent FAQ">[http://www.ecb.int/bc/faqbc/circulation/html/index.en.html#q11 What is the benefit of issuing low-denomination (1 and 2-cent) coins?], [[European Central Bank]]  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015235348/http://www.ecb.int/bc/faqbc/circulation/html/index.en.html#q11 |date=October 15, 2008 }}</ref> 

According to a 2005 [[Eurobarometer]] survey of EU citizens, Germans were most sceptical about the removal of the 1c and 2c&nbsp;coins from complete circulation in the eurozone, but on average a majority of Germans still supported their removal (58% for the one cent coin and 52% for the two cent coin in 2005). The Belgians were most supportive of their removal.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl175_en.pdf | title=The euro, 4 years after the introduction of the banknotes and coins | publisher=ec.europa.eu | work=Eurobarometer | date=November 2005 | access-date=1 August 2013}}</ref> A similar survey in 2017 found 64% across the eurozone favoring their removal with prices rounded, with over 70% in Belgium, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Slovakia. Only Portugal and Latvia had a plurality in favour of retaining the coins (49% against removal, 45–46% in favour).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/ResultDoc/download/DocumentKy/80850|title = Eurobarometer}}</ref> The same survey in 2021 found that 67% of respondents across the eurozone were in favor of the removal, and all countries in the eurozone showed a plurality of people also in favour.<ref name='abolishment survey'>{{cite report |author= Ipsos European Public Affairs |date=March 2021 |title=Flash Eurobarometer 488 The euro area |url=https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2291 |publisher=European Commission |pages=19–20}}</ref>

The [[European Commission|Commission]] in 2010 released its guidelines on daily life euro cash questions, to give citizens guidelines on issues with direct implications for daily life. The guidelines were based on ten guiding principles, including two that still remain: "No surcharges should be imposed on payments in cash" and "Member States should not adopt new rounding rules to the nearest five cent".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/cash/legal_tender/index_en.htm |title=Euro legal tender – European Commission |publisher=Ec.europa.eu |access-date=2013-03-26}}</ref> Following a consultation, a Commission initiative considering the adoption of price rounding was due to be adopted by the end of 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12566-Uniform-rounding-rules-for-cash-payments-in-euro-assessment_en |title=Uniform rounding rules for cash payments in euro – assessment – European Commission |publisher=Ec.europa.eu |access-date=2021-09-22}}</ref> Regardless of the Commission's decision, Slovakia proposed introducing rounding from 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.numismaticnews.net/world-coins/slovakia-proposes-dropping-low-value-euro-coins |title=Slovakia Proposes Dropping Low Value Euro Coins |date=21 September 2021 |publisher=numismaticnews.net |access-date=2021-09-22}}</ref>

==Controversy==
In spring 2016, controversy arose in the [[Netherlands]] after an episode of the television program ''Keuringsdienst van Waarde'' showed that euro coins for the Netherlands and other countries were being made by South Korean company [[Poongsan Corporation|Poongsan]], a known producer of [[cluster munition]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npo.nl/npo3/keuringsdienst-de-industrie-achter-clustermunitie|title=Keuringsdienst: De industrie achter clustermunitie|website=npo.nl}}</ref> Cluster munitions are banned internationally by the 2008 [[Convention on Cluster Munitions]] (CCM), because of their indiscriminate and long-term effects on civilians. The CCM prohibits the use, production, stockpiling or transfer of cluster munitions as well as assistance with these acts. After parliamentary questions were posed, the Dutch government stated that the [[Royal Dutch Mint]] had ordered around 40&nbsp;million 'coin blanks' between 2011 and 2016, and that Poongsan was on a list of vetted suppliers of the European Commission's Mint Directors Working Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/ah-tk-20152016-2503.html|title=Antwoord op vragen van de leden Merkies en Jasper van Dijk over de productie van euromunten door een Zuid-Koreaans bedrijf dat ook betrokken is bij de productie van clustermunitie|first=Tweede Kamer der|last=Staten-Generaal|website=zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl|date=11 May 2016}}</ref> Since then, both the Royal Dutch Mint and the Norwegian Mint have excluded Poongsan as a coin blank supplier due to its involvement with cluster munitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stopexplosiveinvestments.org|title=Home – Stop Explosive Investments: Help stop the funding of cluster bomb producers|first=Stop Explosive|last=Investment|website=www.stopexplosiveinvestments.org}}</ref> Questions were also raised that year in the European Parliament about Poongsan's presence on the vetted list of coin blank suppliers of the European Commission's Mint Directors Working Group. The Commission responded with claims that, despite the European Union's support of the CCM, the EU itself is not a Party to it and responsibility on the issue lies with EU member states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+WQ+E-2016-007032+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN|title=Written question – Production by South Korean company Poongsan of cluster munitions and Euro coin blanks – E-007032/2016|website=www.europarl.europa.eu}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Money|Numismatics}}
{{commons category}}
* [https://www.ecb.int European Central Bank]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070330153120/http://www.ibiblio.org/theeuro/ The Euro – Information Website]
* [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_186/l_18620050718en00010002.pdf Common guidelines for the national sides of euro circulation coins] 
* [https://www.eurocoinscatalog.com/ Euro coins catalog] (numismatics)

{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511111456/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_186/l_18620050718en00010002.pdf |date=2013-05-11 }}

{{Euro topics|state=expanded}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Euro Coins}}
[[Category:Euro coins| ]]
[[Category:Lists of coins|Euro]]