Weekly World Coin Post: EUROPEAN UNION

This week I'm tackling a whole host of countries. At the beginning of 1999 the Euro was rolled out in 11 of the then 15 member states. Ever since, it has been one of the dominant world currencies. At the current rate, 1 EUR is worth almost $1.50 USD, a sweet conversion rate for all the Europeans who travel and work in the US and purchase things much cheaper.

I've traveled to only four of the EU member states, England, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain... however England does not use the Euro, as they were awarded an opt-out. Their British Pound is stronger anyway.

I think it's really cool how you can travel nearly over all of Europe and only use one currency. But don't let that fool you into thinking countries who retired their native currency had to settle and lose their identity on the new Euro. Those the side with the value on all Euros, EU wide is the same, member states has individualized engravings on the other side to distinguish their national identity. For example on an Irish Euro you might see an image of a Lire, but on the same coin from Malta, there would be a Maltese Cross. It makes them extremely fun to see and collect. In the US as we would call it obverse and reverse, for the Euros, these would be Common and National... should be obvious why.

One last neat fact about the Euro... though each coin size is different, the edges are also different. Some are reeded, some are smooth, some are a mix of both. These were put there to aid sight impaired individuals distinguish each value from the other. Also the same reason the paper money is different sizes.

For more info on the EU Euro, click HERE.

TOP PIC, LEFT TO RIGHT:

These coins are all the "Common Side", so no matter which country the Euro is from, this side they all look the same. Each has 12 stars signifying the original 12 members states and then a geographic map showing the region.

2 Euro
1 Euro
20 Cents
10 Cents
5 Cents

BOTTOM PIC, TOP ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT:

GREECE
2002 2 Euros Cupronickel Center w/ Nickel Ring 25.75mm
2004 2 Euros Cupronickel Center w/ Nickel Ring 25.75mm | Athens Olympics Commemorative
2002 20 Cents Nordic Gold 22.5mm | Ioannis Kapodistrias
2002 10 Cents Nordic Gold 19.75mm | Rigas Feraios

BOTTOM PIC, 2ND ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT:

IRELAND
2002 5 Cents Copper Plated Steel 21.25mm
2002 2 Cents Copper Plated Steel 18.75mm

BOTTOM PIC, 3rd ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT:

FRANCE
2001 2 Euros Cupronickel Center w/ Nickel Ring 25.75mm | Liberte Egalite Fraternite
2000 5 Cents Copper Plated Steel 21.25mm | Marianne

BOTTOM PIC, 4TH ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT:

SPAIN
2001 1 Euro Nickel-Brass Ring w/ Nickel Center 23.25mm | Juan Carlos I
1999 20 Cents Nordic Gold 22.25mm | Miguel de Cervantes
1999 10 Cents Nordic Gold 19.75mm
1999 5 Cents Copper Plated Steel 21.25mm | Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

BOTTOM PIC, 5TH ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT:

ITALY
2002 1 Euro Nickel-Brass Ring w/ Nickel Center 23.25mm | Vitruvian Man
2002 20 Cents Cents Nordic Gold 22.25mm | Unique Forms of Continuity in Space
2002 10 Cents Nordic Gold 19.75mm | Birth of Venus

BOTTOM PIC, 6TH ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT:

CYPRUS
2008 1 Euro Nickel-Brass Ring w/ Nickel Center 23.25mm | The Idol of Pomos

BOTTOM PIC, 7th ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT:

BELGIUM
1999 5 Cents Copper Plated Steel 21.25mm | Albert II