Austria

This shows a portrait of the radical pacifist Bertha von Suttner, a symbol of Austria’s efforts over many decades, to support peace.

This coin shows Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the famous Austrian composer, depicting Austria as a land of music.

This coin shows the secession building in Vienna, illustrating the birth of art nouveau in Austria and symbolising the birth of a new age, representing a bridge to a new monetary era.

This coin shows the Belvedere Palace, one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Austria. This was where the Treaty re-establishing the sovereignty of Austria was signed in 1955, making its name synonymous with freedom.

This depicts St. Stephen’s Cathedral, one of the jewels of Viennese Gothic architecture and a popular tourist venue.

This shows alpine primroses, as part of a floral series, symbolising a duty to the environment and the part Austria is playing in the development of a Community environmental policy.

This shows the edelweiss, again as part of a floral series, symbolising a duty to the environment and the part Austria is playing in the development of a Community environmental policy.

This coin shows a gentian, as the last part of the floral series, symbolising a duty to the environment and the part Austria is playing in the development of a Community environmental policy.
Belgium
　

Finland

This shows cloudberries and cloudberry flowers, designed by Raimo Heino.

The artist Pertti Maekinen created a motif depicting two flying swans for this coin. The designs were taken from his competition entry for a coin to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the independence of Finland.

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

France
EUR 1 and EUR 2 coins: A tree, drawn by artist Joaquim Jiminez, appears on these coins, symbolising life, continuity and growth. It is contained in a hexagon and is surrounded by the motto of the Republic "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité".
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".
1, 2 and 5 cent coins: This shows a young, feminine Marianne with determined features that embody the desire for a sound and lasting Europe. It was designed by Fabienne Courtiade, an engraver from the Paris Mint.

Germany
��1 and ��2 coins: The traditional symbol of German sovereignty, the eagle, surrounded by the stars of Europe, appears on these coins. This motif was designed by Heinz and Sneschana Russewa-Hoyer.
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.
1, 2 and 5 cent coins: The oak twig, reminiscent of that found on the current German pfennig coins provides the motif for these coins. It was designed by Professor Rolf Lederbogen.
Greece
This coin depicts a scene from a mosaic in Sparta (third century AD), showing Europa being abducted by Zeus, who has taken the form of a bull. Europa is a figure from Greek mythology after whom Europe was named. This coin shows an owl, copied from an ancient Athenian 4 drachma coin (fifth century BC).
Eleftherios Venizelos (1864-1936), one of Greece’s most prominent political figures, is shown on this coin. He was a pioneer in social reform, a renowned diplomat and played a key role in modernising the Greek state and liberating Northern Greece and the Aegean islands. This coin commemorates Ioannis Capodistrias (1776-1831), a leading national and European politician and diplomat who became the first Governor of Greece (1830-31) following the Greek War of Independence (1821-27).
Rigas-Fereos (Velestinlis) (1757-98) is featured on this coin. He was a forerunner and leading figure of the Greek enlightenment and confederation. He was a visionary of Balkan liberation from Ottoman rule. This coin shows a modern sea-going tanker, reflecting the innovative spirits of Greek shipping.
This coin epicts a corvette, a type of ship used during the Greek War of Independence (1821-27). This motif shows an advanced model of an Athenian trireme, the largest warship afloat for more than 200 years, dating from the time of the Athenian democracy (fifth century BC).

　

　


Last Update: 20.May.2001