€2 commemorative coin “35 years of the Erasmus programme”

2024 – Mecklenburg-West Pomerania

The German government has decided to mint a €2 commemorative coin entitled “Mecklenburg-West Pomerania” to be issued on 30 January 2024. The coin is the second in the “Federal States II” series that began in 2023. One €2 coin will be brought out every year, each celebrating a different Federal state and showcasing an emblem that encapsulates the state depicted. The coins will be issued in the same order as the revolving presidency of the Bundesrat. The series will focus on the cultural identity and regional specificities of the individual Federal states, following on thematically from its successful predecessor, the “Federal States” series (2006-2022), which was rounded off in January 2022.

Michael Otto, an artist from the town of Rodenbach, Germany, designed the national (picture) side. The focus of the design is the iconic “Königsstuhl” (King’s Chair) in the Jasmund National Park and its typical chalk cliffs surrounded by beech forest. The chosen vantage point of the beach serves to underscore the monumental nature of this unique landmark. The central part of the coin also features the letter “D” indicating that the country of issue is the Federal Republic of Germany, the year 2024,  the minting letter of the respective mint location, (“A”, “D”, “F”, “G” or “J”), the words “MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN” and the artist’s initials. The twelve stars of Europe are arranged on the outer ring of the national side.

The European side corresponds to the common reverse side of the regular issue €2 coin in circulation since 2007, depicting a map of Europe without national borders.

The technical parameters of the €2 commemorative coin are the same as those of any regular issue €2 coin. Like the standard German €2 coins, the edge of the commemorative issue bears the inscription: “EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT” (UNITY AND JUSTICE AND FREEDOM) and a stylised Federal eagle.

The mint condition coins will be brought into circulation at their face value (€2). The collector quality coins with a proof-like finish will be higher than their face value and will be issue by the Münze Deutschland (Germany’s official sales agency for collector coins). Up to 30 million coins are to be minted for circulation. The coin will be valid as legal tender throughout the euro area.

The mint condition coins were successively put into circulation by the branches of the Deutsche Bundesbank as part of the normal cash requirements of banks and retailers at their face value (€2).