Design 2 cent euro coin

1 design

1.1 reverse (common) side
1.2 obverse (national) sides

1.2.1 planned designs

design

the coins composed of copper-covered steel, diameter of 18.75 mm, 1.67 mm thickness , mass of 3.06 grams. edges smooth continuous groove running round coin. groove helps distinguish 2 cent coin smooth 1 , 5 cent coins, u.s. penny, has same diameter. coins have been used 2002, though dated 1999 year euro created currency, not put general circulation.

reverse (common) side

the reverse designed luc luycx , displays globe in bottom right. then-fifteen members of eu lightly highlighted , northern half of africa , western half of asia (including middle east) shown. 6 fine lines cut diagonally behind globe each side of coin , have twelve stars @ ends (reflective of flag of europe). top left large number 2 followed, in smaller text, words euro cent . designer s initials, ll, appear right of globe.

obverse (national) sides

the obverse side of coin depends on issuing country. have include twelve stars (in cases in circle around edge), engraver s initials, , year of issue. new designs have include name or initials of issuing country. side cannot repeat denomination of coin unless issuing country uses alphabet other latin. (currently true of greece, engraves 2 ΛΕΠΤΑ upon coins in greek alphabet. austria, still shows denomination in german, have change design comply; see below.)

planned designs

austria, germany , greece @ point need update designs comply guidelines requiring them include issuing state s name or initial, , not repeat denomination of coin.

in addition, there several eu states have not yet adopted euro. of them have agreed upon coin designs, not known when adopt currency, , hence these not yet minted. see enlargement of eurozone expected entry dates of these countries.