Euro coins issues

Greek euro coins feature a unique design for every one of the eight coins. They were all designed by Georgios Stamatopoulos with the minor coins depicting Greek ships, the middle ones famous Greeks and the two large denominations examples of Greek history and mythology. All designs feature the 12 stars of the EU and the year of imprint. Unique to the national side of Greek coins is that the value of the coin is expressed in the Greek alphabet. Also, the euro cent is called the lepton (λεπτο) in Greek, unlike other languages which borrowed the word cent.

German euro coins have three separate designs for the three series of coins. The 1, 2 and 5 cent coins were designed by Rolf Lederbogen, the design for the 10, 20 and 50 cent coins is by the hand of Reinhart Heinsdorff and the 1 and 2 euro coins were done by Heinz Hoyer and Sneschana Russewa-Hoyer. Featured in all designs are the 12 stars of the EU and the year of imprint.

French euro coins feature three separate designs for the three series of coins. The minor series was designed by Fabienne Courtiade, the middle one by Laurent Jorio and the major two coins are by Joaquim Jimenez. All designs share the 12 stars of the EU and the year of imprint as well as the letters “RF” for République Française (French Republic).

Finnish euro coins have three designs, though two of them are each found on one coin only. The design for the minor and middle series of coins is by Heikki Häiväoja, the design for the 1 euro coin was done by Pertti Mäkinen and the national side of the 2 euro coin is by the hand of Raimo Heino. All designs feature the 12 stars of the EU and the year of imprint.

Belgian euro coins feature only a single design for all eight coins: the portrait or effigy of King Albert II of Belgium and his royal monogram. Also part of the design by Jan Alfons Keustermans are the 12 stars of the EU and the year of imprint.

Austrian euro coins have a unique design for each denomination, with a common theme for each of the three series of coins. The minor coins feature Austrian flowers, the middle coins examples of architecture from Austria’s capital, Vienna, and the two major coins famous Austrians. All designs are by the hand of Josef Kaiser and also include the 12 stars of the EU and the year of imprint.