O’Brien Coin Guide: Commemorative €2 Coins of 2014


The descriptions on this page have been taken from the Official Journal of the European Union and the European Central Bank website.

  • Coins are listed in chronological order, i.e. date of issue.
  • Where the dates of issue are the same, coins are listed in alphabetical order, by country (English spelling).

Summary

Date Country Commemorating Mintage
January 2014 Germany Niedersachsen from the ‘Lander’ series 30,000,000
January 2014 Luxembourg 175th Anniversary of the Independence of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg   1,400,000
March 2014 Spain UNESCO’s World Cultural & Natural Heritage Sites — Park Güell   8,000,000
April 2014 Belgium Centenary of the Start of the First World War   1,750,000
April 2014 Portugal 40th Anniversary of the 25th April Revolution      500,000
April 2014 Slovakia 10th Anniversary of the Accession of the Slovak Republic to the EU   1,000,000
May 2014 Netherlands The Official Farewell to the Former Queen Beatrix   1,000,000
June 2014 France 70th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings of 6 June 1944   3,000,000
June 2014 Italy 450th Anniversary of the birth of Galileo Galilei (born in 1564)   6,500,000
June 2014 Italy 200th Anniversary of the foundation of Arma dei Carabinieri   6,500,000
June 2014 Finland 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Author and Artist Tove Jansson   1,500,000
June 2014 San Marino 500th Anniversary of Death of Bramante Lazzari delle Penne di San Marino      110,000
July 2014 Malta 200 Years of Malta Police Force      300,000
September 2014 Latvia Riga – European Capital of Culture 2014   1,000,000
September 2014 Greece 400 years since the death of Domenikos Theotokopoulos (1614-2014)      750,000
September 2014 Greece 150th Anniversary of the Union of Ionian Islands with Greece (1864-2014)      750,000
September 2014 Belgium 150 Years of the Belgian Red Cross      260,000
September 2014 San Marino 90th Anniversary of the Death of Giacomo Puccini      100,000
October 2014 Malta Malta Independence 1964      400,000
October 2014 Portugal The International Year of Family Farming      500,000
October 2014 Luxembourg 50th Anniversary of the accession to the throne of the Grand-Duke Jean   1,400,000
October 2014 Slovenia The 600th Anniversary of the Crowning of Barbara Celjska   1,000,000
October 2014 Vatican City 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall      103,000
November 2014 Finland The 100th Anniversary of birth of Designer Ilmari Tapiovaara   1,000,000
November 2014 France The Fight Against AIDS by Way of World AIDS Day   3,000,000
December 2014 Spain Change of the Head of State 12,000,000

Coin Images & Descriptions

Germany

Germany: €2 commemorative 2014 - Niedersachsen from the ‘Lander’ series

Germany 2014: €2 commemorative Niedersachsen from the ‘Lander’ series

The design shows the Church of St. Michael in Hildesheim, Lower Saxony which has been on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list since 1985. At the top the year of issuance ‘2014’ and at the left the mint mark (A, D, F, G, J). At the bottom, the inscription ‘NIEDERSACHSEN’ and underneath the indication of the issuing country ‘D’. At the top right, the initials of the engraver OE (Ott Erich). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg 2014 commemorative €2 - 175th anniversary of the independence of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg

Luxembourg 2014 commemorative €2 – 175th anniversary of the independence of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg

The coin depicts on the right hand side of its inner part the effigy of His Royal Highness, the Grand-Duke Henri, looking to the right, and on the left hand side of its inner part, vertically positioned, the years ‘1839’ and ‘2014’ and the name of the issuing country ‘LËTZEBUERG’. The inscriptions ‘ONOFHÄNGEGKEET’ and ‘175 Joër’ appear at the bottom of the inner part of the coin. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Spain

Spain 2015 special  €2 commemorative coin - UNESCO's World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites — Park Güell

Spain 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – UNESCO’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites — Park Güell

The coin depicts in the foreground a lizard sculpture which is the Park Güell emblem and was designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí. As background a detail of one of the pavilions situated at the Park Güell entrance. At the top, in circular sense and in capital letters the words ‘ESPAÑA’ and ‘PARK GÜELL — GAUDÍ’. At the left the year of issuance ‘2014’ and at the right the mintmark. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Belgium

Belgium 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - Centenary of the start of the First World War

Belgium 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – Centenary of the start of the First World War

The coin’s central field depicts a poppy above the years 2014-18. Below these years appears the inscription ‘The Great War Centenary’, under which are the signature mark of the Master of the Mint and the mark of the Brussels mint, a helmeted profile of the archangel Michael. The top of the central field features the tri-lingual inscription ‘BELGIE — BELGIQUE — BELGIEN’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Portugal

Portugal 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - 40th Anniversary of the 25th April Revolution

Portugal 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – 40th Anniversary of the 25th April Revolution

The two curves represent the general shape of a carnation, the flower symbolizing the movement, which was also the origin of the revolution’s name. The name of the issuing country ‘PORTUGAL’ and the Coat of Arms are inscribed on the top of the flower. The center of the image shows the date of the event ‘25 DE ABRIL’ (25th April) and at the bottom is written the number of years past since the revolution ‘40 ANOS’ (40 years) and the year of issuance ‘2014’. The shape of the letters and numbers is inspired on those used in posters and other political information supports 40 years ago, as a symbol of the euphoric period lived right after the event. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union

Slovakia

Slovakia 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - 10th anniversary of the accession of the Slovak Republic to the European Union

Slovakia 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – 10th anniversary of the accession of the Slovak Republic to the European Union

At the centre of the national side are the stylised letters ‘EÚ’, as the abbreviation of the European Union, with the coat of arms of the Slovak Republic incorporated in the foreground. On the right-hand side of the inner part of the coin, in two lines, is the date of the Slovak Republic’s accession to the European Union, ‘1.5.2004’, and immediately below it the year ‘2014’. Inscribed along the bottom edge of the inner part is the name of the issuing country, ‘SLOVENSKO’, while in a semi-circle along the upper edge is the inscription ‘10. VÝROČIE VSTUPU DO EURÓPSKEJ ÚNIE’. To the lower left is the mint mark of Kremnica Mint (composed of the letters ‘MK’ between two dies), and to the lower right are the stylised letters ‘MP’, the initials of the designer, Mária Poldaufová. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Netherlands

Netherlands 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - The official farewell to the former Queen Beatrix

Netherlands 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – The official farewell to the former Queen Beatrix

The inner part of the coin depicts the effigies of both the King Willem-Alexander and the former Queen Beatrix. At the left, in semi-circle, the inscription ‘WILLEM-ALEXANDER KONING DER NEDERLANDEN’ and at the right, in semi-circle, the inscription ‘BEATRIX PRINSES DER NEDERLANDEN’. Between the two inscriptions, at the top, the crown symbol and at the bottom the mint master mark, the mint mark and in between the year of issuance ‘2014’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

France

France 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings of 6 June 1944

France 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings of 6 June 1944

In the coin’s central field the word D-DAY is written in such a way as to depict a landing craft and a tank gun barrel. The years 1944-2014 appear above the tank gun, with the inscription ‘70e anniversaire du débarquement’ (70th anniversary of the landings) further down. The distinctive footprints left by the boots worn by American, British and Canadian troops are gradually disappearing in the sand, washed away by a wave. The words of a poem by Verlaine used as a code for the start of the landings are engraved on the wave: ‘Les sanglots longs des violons de l’automne blessent mon coeur d’une langueur monotone’ (the long sobs of the violins of autumn wound my heart with a monotonous languor). The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Italy

Italy 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - 450th Anniversary of the birth of Galileo Galilei (born in 1564)

Italy 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – 450th Anniversary of the birth of Galileo Galilei (born in 1564)

The design shows the head of Galileo Galilei from the painting of Justus Sustermans, 1636 (Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi); around, upside, GALILEO GALILEI; on the right, superimposed letters R (monogram of the Mint of Rome)/astronomic telescope/C.M. (monogram of the Author Claudia Momoni); on the left, superimposed letters of the Italian Republic monogram ‘RI’; in exergue 1564-2014. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Italy

Italy 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - 200th Anniversary of the foundation of Arma dei Carabinieri

Italy 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – 200th Anniversary of the foundation of Arma dei Carabinieri

The design shows a reinterpretation of the sculpture ‘Pattuglia di Carabinieri nella tormenta’ made in 1973 by Antonio Berti; on the right, superimposed letters of the Italian Republic monogram ‘RI’/2014; on the left, 1814; up, superimposed letters R (monogram of the Mint of Rome); in exergue, LDS (monogram of the Author Luciana De Simoni)/CARABINIERI. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Finland

Finland 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - 100th Anniversary of the birth of author and artist Tove Jansson

Finland 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – 100th Anniversary of the birth of author and artist Tove Jansson

The inner part of the coin depicts Tove Jansson’s portrait. Under the portrait the signature ‘Tove Jansson’ and the years ‘1914-2001’. At the left the indication of the issuing country ‘FI’. At the right the year of issuance ‘2014’ and the mint mark. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

San Marino

San Marino 2015 special €2 commemorative coin -   500th anniversary of the death of Bramante Lazzari delle Penne di San Marino

San Marino 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – 500th anniversary of the death of Bramante Lazzari delle Penne di San Marino

The coin depicts Bramante’s portrait, and part of Tempietto (Italian: ‘small temple’), which is a small commemorative tomb built by Donato Bramante, possibly as early as 1502, in the courtyard of San Pietro in Montorio and considered a masterpiece of the High Renaissance Italian architecture. The inscription ‘BRAMANTE LAZZARI DELLE PENNE DI SAN MARINO’ surrounds almost completely the design. At the left and right the years ‘1514’ and ‘2014’, respectively. At the bottom the initials of the artist ‘MCC’ (Maria Carmela Colaneri) and the mint mark. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Malta

Malta 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - 200 years of Malta Police Force

Malta 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – 200 years of Malta Police Force

The coin commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Malta Police Force which was set up by means of proclamation XXII of 1814. Thus the Malta Police Force is one of the oldest in Europe. The national side of the coin depicts the badge of the Malta Police Force with the legend ‘200 Years Malta Police Force’ and the dates 1814-2014. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Latvia

Latvia 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - Riga — European Capital of Culture 2014

Latvia 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – Riga — European Capital of Culture 2014

The coin depicts Bramante’s portrait, and part of Tempietto (Italian: ‘small temple’), which is a small commemorative tomb built by Donato Bramante, possibly as early as 1502, in the courtyard of San Pietro in Montorio and considered a masterpiece of the High Renaissance Italian architecture. The inscription ‘BRAMANTE LAZZARI DELLE PENNE DI SAN MARINO’ surrounds almost completely the design. At the left and right the years ‘1514’ and ‘2014’, respectively. At the bottom the initials of the artist ‘MCC’ (Maria Carmela Colaneri) and the mint mark. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Greece

Greece 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - 400 years since the death of Domenikos Theotokopoulos (1614-2014)

Greece 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – 400 years since the death of Domenikos Theotokopoulos (1614-2014)

The inner part of the coin shows a portrait of Domenikos Theotokopoulos. The background features a typical figure from his work, illustrative of his technique. On the left: the year 2014 and the characteristic signature of the artist (‘Domenikos Theotokopoulos Epoiei’). On the right: the mint mark of the Greek State Mint. The entire design is encircled in an inscription reading in Greek ‘DOMENIKOS THEOTOKOPOULOS 1541-1614’ and the name of the issuing country ‘HELLENIC REPUBLIC’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Greece

Greece 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - 150th anniversary of the union of the Ionian Islands with Greece (1864-2014)

Greece 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – 150th anniversary of the union of the Ionian Islands with Greece (1864-2014)

The inner part of the coin depicts a seven-pointed star inscribed in Greek with the words: ‘150 YEARS SINCE THE UNION OF THE IONIAN ISLANDS (EPTÁNISA) WITH GREECE 1864-2014’, the name of the issuing country ‘HELLENIC REPUBLIC’ and the mint mark of the Greek State Mint. The spaces between the points of the star feature the symbols of the Ionian Islands. The entire design is encircled in a decorative stylised wave motif. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Belgium

Belgium 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - 150 years of the Belgian Red Cross

Belgium 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – 150 years of the Belgian Red Cross

The inner part of the coin features a cross with the number ‘150’ in its centre. The vertical and horizontal bars of the cross bear the words ‘Rode Kruis’ and ‘Croix-Rouge’ respectively. The cross is surrounded by the mark of the Brussels mint (a helmeted profile of the archangel Michael), the signature mark of the Master of the Mint, the year 2014, and the country code ‘BE’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

San Marino

San Marino 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - 90th anniversary of the death of Giacomo Puccini

San Marino 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – 90th anniversary of the death of Giacomo Puccini

The designs shows a portrait of the composer Giacomo Puccini. At the right the name of the issuing country, in semi-circle, ‘SAN MARINO’. At the left the inscription ‘G. PUCCINI’ and the mint mark. At the bottom the year ‘2014’. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Malta

Malta 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - Malta Independence 1964

Malta 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – Malta Independence 1964

The coin commemorating the Malta Independence constitution of 1964 is the fourth in the series of five coins that commemorate constitutional milestones in Maltese history. By means of the 1964 constitution Malta became an independent nation for the first time after hundreds of years of foreign domination. The national side of the coin shows a detail of the bronze monument commemorating Independence which was designed by the artist Gianni Bonnici in 1989. It shows a young woman, representing Malta, carrying the Maltese flag. At the right, in semi-circle, the inscription ‘MALTA — Independence 1964’ and at the bottom the year of issuance ‘2014’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Portugal

Portugal 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - The International Year of Family Farming

Portugal 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – The International Year of Family Farming

On the central part of the design are represented tools typically used in the traditional agriculture, together with farming products: a chicken in the center, surrounded by pumpkins, a basket of potatoes, and other vegetables and flowers. On the left side, in semi-circle, the subject of the commemoration ‘AGRICULTURA FAMILIAR’ (Family Farming) and on the right side, in semi-circle, the name of the issuing country ‘PORTUGAL’ followed by the year of issuance ‘2014’. At the bottom left the mintmark ‘INCM’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg 2015 special €2 commemorative coin -  50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of the Grand-Duke Jean

Luxembourg 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of the Grand-Duke Jean

The coin’s inner part depicts the effigies of Their Royal Highnesses, the Grand-Duke Henri and the Grand-Duke Jean, both looking to the left. It is surmounted by the year ‘1964’ above the effigy of the Grand-Duke Jean and by a crown. At the bottom, the names ‘Jean’ and ‘Henri’ appear below the respective effigy as well as the year ‘2014’. The inscription ‘50e ANNIVERSAIRE DE L’ACCESSION AU TRÔNE DU GRAND-DUC JEAN’ encloses in circular form the upper inner part of the coin. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Slovenia

Slovenia 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - The 600th anniversary of the crowning of Barbara Celjska

Slovenia 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – The 600th anniversary of the crowning of Barbara Celjska

The central image of the coin shows, with lined pattern, the portrait of the Queen Barbara of Celje with her sceptre. On the image are placed three typical six-pointed stars of Celje counts. On the left side of the portrait is the inscription ‘SLOVENIJA’ and on the right side the inscription ‘BARBARA CELJSKA’ and the years ‘1414-2014’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Vatican

Vatican City 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall

Vatican City 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall

The design depicts some bricks of the partially collapsed Berlin Wall in the foreground, with the wording ‘XXV ANNIVERSARIO DEL CROLLO DEL MURO DI BERLINO 1989 2014’ (25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall 1989 2014) written within the bricks. An olive branch can be seen in the centre, in a gap between the bricks and a piece of barbed wire, and the Brandenburg Gate appears in the background. At the top, the words ‘CITTA’ DEL VATICANO’ are inscribed. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Finland

Finland 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - The 100th Anniversary of the birth of designer and interior designer Ilmari Tapiovaara

Finland 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – The 100th Anniversary of the birth of designer and interior designer Ilmari Tapiovaara

The left inner part of the design shows Ilmari Tapiovaara’s name and years. The right inner part of the design depicts a close-up from the furniture fitting characteristic for Ilmari Tapiovaara. At the right the indication of the issuing country ‘FI’, the mint mark and the year of issuance ‘2014’. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

France

France 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - The fight against AIDS by way of World AIDS Day

France 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – The fight against AIDS by way of World AIDS Day

The red ribbon, symbolising the fight against AIDS, is featured in the coin’s central field. The ribbon was created by the Visual AIDS Artists Caucus and the US painter Frank Moore. It should be worn close to the heart to symbolise solidarity with AIDS sufferers and is in the shape of an upside-down V. The idea is for it to be worn as a V one day to signify victory over the disease. There are three ribbons in the central field. One is in the conventional position and will be coloured red for the brilliant uncirculated (BU) and proof (PRF) versions. The other two ribbons are inverted and associated with two Vs to strengthen the symbolism of the much-hoped-for victory over the disease. The date 1 December, Unesco World AIDS Day, appears at the top of the central field. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

Spain

Spain 2015 special €2 commemorative coin - Change of the Head of State

Spain 2015 special €2 commemorative coin – Change of the Head of State

The design depicts the overlapping portraits of Kings Felipe VI and Juan Carlos I. At the bottom the name of the issuing country and the year of issuance: ‘ESPAÑA — 2014’. At the right, the mint mark. The coin’s outer ring bears the 12 stars of the European Union.

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