2 euro commemorative coin of 2022, dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus programme
- April 12, 2021
- by
- Olivier
Last update 08/12/2022 – In 2022, the Erasmus programme celebrates its 35th anniversary. The European Commission has published the 6 competition designs still in the running for the joint €2 commemorative 2022 Erasmus 2 euro coin. The coin will be issued in amost of the 19 Member States of the euro area.
Breaking news, on 04/12/2021: Project €2 Erasmus 2022 N°6 – “Monnaie de Paris” design from Joaquin JIMENEZ, choosen by European Commission
Coins are issued from july the first 2022
2022 €2 ERSAMUS, first version
JOAQUIN JIMENEZ, coin engraver
His explanation of the chosen design
The 2€ Erasmus competition was open to all. Nearly 80 candidates competed. The design conceived by Joaquin JIMENEZ was inspired by a painting representing ERSAME, painted by HANS HOLBEIN. This painting is exhibited in the Louvres museum, a few steps away from the engraving workshop of the Monnaie de Paris.
Hans HOBLEIN was a Swiss painter, born in the city of Basel. He met ERASMUS when the latter came to live in this city in 1521. At that time ERASME was already well known for his work throughout Europe.
Other artists had already represented ERASMUS at a younger age, notably ALBRECHT DÜRER, in an engraving. But it is the works of Hans HOLBEIN that are best known. Indeed, several paintings were partially or completely executed by HOLBEIN and then copied by students in his Basel workshop. Another portrait executed by the same artist but representing ERASMUS in a different posture is exhibited at the National Gallery in London.
JOAQUIN JIMENEZ in the engraving workshop of the Monnaie de Pari
The composition of Joaquin JIMENEZ’s design is based on two of the most characteristic figurative elements of the Erasmus program.
The original intellectual inspiration is represented by the figure of the great theologian, humanist and philosopher, Erasmus of Rotterdam. Joaquin made a first model from the work of HOLBEIN. The portrait is in 2D1/2. Because of the size of the blank, it is not possible to make a 3D or “High relief” drawing. He also realized a granite background and a flowery cross at the level of the number 35. A number of connecting lines run through the piece, allegorizing the intellectual and human exchanges between European students.
In this tangle, the number 35 indicates the years that have passed since the birth of the Erasmus program. Below, on the right, in the form of an arc, are the dates “1987-2022”, respectively the year of birth of the Erasmus program and the year of issue of the coin, as well as the inscription “ERASMUS PROGRAM”. The signature of the General Engraver of the Monnaie de Paris appears under the stylus held by ERASMUS (J. JIMENEZ).
Several countries had omitted this signature in the project of their national coin. But Pascal RENCKER, head of Innovation R&D and International Affairs at the Monnaie de Paris, was the link between the MDP and the other countries for this project. He made sure that the original design of Joaquin JIMENEZ was strictly respected by all the issuing countries.
For the moment, no inaugural strike is scheduled at the Monnaie de Paris for the French ERASMUS commemorative €2 coin.
On July 1, 2022, a commemorative event is planned in the BERLAYMONT building of the European Commission in Brussels, to celebrate this joint monetary issue.
3.5 million coins are planned for circulation (in UNC mintage quality) as well as a BU version and a proof version for the Euro collector market.
A modified design, since its first presentation
In the design of this second version, the mention of the country is moved to the bottom right.
the words “1987-2022 ERASMUS PROGRAM” are written in a bolder font with the letters tighter.
The text block creates a certain heaviness that covers the character of Erasmus much more. But this new design leaves more space for the mention of the issuing country.
The country mention was originally in the center of the coin.
The announced mintages
- Slovakia
- Chyprus
- Italy
- Belgium
- Greece
- Slovenia
- Lithuania
- Estonia
- Spain
- Germany
- Austria
- France
- Portugal
- Latvia
- Netherlands
- Malta
- Finland
- Andorra
- Monaco
- Vatican
- San Marino
These countries are not member of the ERASMUS program. However, they are considered as partner countries and can participate under certain conditions in the actions of the program (see here). They are members of 5th group.
The Netherlands had not minted commemorative €2 coins for several years. They followed the recommendations of the European institutions to the letter. They ask that these issues be greatly reduced, given the stocks of new 2€, destined for circulation, which are still in the coffers of European central banks. It was therefore not certain that they would issue an ERASMUS 2€ in 2022, even though ERASMES was born in Rotterdam.
Nonetheless, Erwin, one of our dutch readers indicated us on 08/22/2021 that dutch Ministery of Finances did confirm him the decision of issuing a dutch €2 commemorative coin ERASMUS in 2022. It is confirmed by UE on 08/27/2021.
Erwin, one of our Dutch readers, told us on 8/22/2021 that the Dutch Ministry of Finance had confirmed to him the decision to issue a Dutch €2 ERASMUS commemorative coin in 2022.
The following countries have therefore issued in 2022 a commemorative currency dedicated to the ERASMUS program (presentation and euro coin collector’s market values):
(initials of the author Joaquin Jimenez)
Edge lettering: 2 EURO ★★★, repeated four times, alternately upright and inverted
The coin will be issued on 07/01/2022
Quotations
Set BU: €40
Set BE: €100
UNC coin: €5
Joaquin Jimenez)
Estimated volume of issuance: 1 million of coins
Edge lettering: 2★★, repeated six times, alternately upright and inverted
CYPRUS
Legends: ΚΥΠΡΟΣ KIBRIS / 1987-2022 / ERASMUS PROGRAMME / J.J.
(initials of the author Joaquin Jimenez)
Edge lettering: ‘2 ΕΥΡΩ 2 EURO’ repeated twice
Mintages:
– Circulation coins (UNC): 400 000 coins
– Coin in BU condition (boxed): 3 000 coins
– Coin in BU condition (coincards): 6 000 coins
– Coin in proof condition (boxes): 3 000 coins
The BU coincard and BE boxed versions are already sold out at the Central Bank of Cyprus.
A first project of coin without the signature J.J. (for Joaquin JIMENEZ) had been proposed.
Joaquin Jimenez)
Edge lettering: EESTI, repeated two times upright and inverted
The mention of the issuing country “FI” appears in the center of the coin and the mintmark of Mint of Finland is engraved at 6 hrs. The words “OHJELMA” and “PROGRAMMET” are the translation of the word “Program” in Finnish and Swedish. The is issued since 07/01/2022.
Estimated volume of issuance: 3,5 million
Edge lettering: 2★★, repeated six times, alternately upright and inverted
Edge lettering: EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT and the design of the federal eagle
Quotations:
Coincard BU: €15€ to €20
proof boxed coin: €40
UNC coin: €5
(initials of the author Joaquin Jimenez)
Estimated volume of issuance: 500 000 UNC coins
Edge lettering: 2★★, repeated six times, alternately upright and inverted
Quotation
UNC version: €6
Mintages: 308 000 coins (3 00 000 UNC coins for circulation and 8 000 BU coincards
Edge lettering: ‘DIEVS SVĒTĪ LATVIJU’ (‘GOD BLESS LATVIA’)
First version – In the heart of the coin appears the name of the issuing country, “LIETUVA” for Lithuania. The mintmark of the Mint of Lithuania also appears on this face of the coin. The mintmark of the Monnaie de Paris as well as the mark of its engraver in chief, JAQUIN JIMENEZ, will also be engraved on this face. The two initials of the engraver “J.J” are also engraved under the pen held by ERASME.
Three inscriptions appear in the lower right quarter of the coin:
– “1987- 2022” program anniversary dates.
– ERASMUS
– “Programa” for program
Estimated volume of issuance: 160 000 UNC coins and 7 500 BU coins
Edge lettering: 2★★, repeated six times, alternately upright and inverted
The issue date was July 1st 2022.
2022 €2 ERASMUS coin from MALTA – a very limited edition
Quotations
UNC version: €95 (attention: current presale prices – to be updated)
BU version: €150 (attention: current presale prices – to be updated)
THE NETHERLANDS
For the Dutch version of this coin, the country code “NL” will be engraved in the heart of the coin.
In the lower right quarter of the coin, three inscriptions will be engraved:
- The dates “1987-2022”, which are the anniversary dates of the ERASMUS program.
- The name ERSAMUS
- “Programma” for program
The signature of the engraver in chief of the Monnaie de Paris, as creator of the common design, will appear under the pen of ERASMUS, with the two initials “J.J.” for Joaquin JIMENEZ.
The first draft validated by the European authorities did not carry any monetary differences. This was due to the fact that the Mintmaster of the KNM had resigned and that his successor was not yet known at the time of publication of the Dutch coin draft. The new KNM mintmaster’s difference is known as the crow’s difference. The €2 commemorative coin “ERASMUS PROGRAM” will bear this new monetary difference.
First design of the 2€ ERASMUS from the Netherlands – without mintmarks
Final design of the 2022 2€ ERASMUS, with the new 2022 mintmaster’s mark
Coincard BU ERASMUS
Proof boxed €2 ERASMUS coin
The announced mintages are as follows:
- coins for circulation: 500,000 coins
- UNC coins for collectors: 50 000 coins
- BU coincards: 75 000 coins
- Proof coins: 2 500 coins (in annual proof sets)
Edge lettering: Five coats of arms and seven castles equally spaced
– circulation: 500,000 coins
– BU: 6 000 coins (coincards)
– Proof: 6 000 coins (coincards)
Edge lettering: SLOVENSKÁ REPUBLIKA, followed by three symbols: star – linden leaf – star
Edge lettering: SLOVENIJA, followed by an engraved dot
Quotations
UNC version: €6
Proof version: €80
SPAIN
Legends: ESPAÑA / 1987-2022 / ERASMUS PROGRAMME / J.J.
(initials of the author Joaquin Jimenez)
Estimated volume of issuance: 1 million
Edge lettering: 2★★, repeated six times, alternately upright and inverted
Mintages:
UN version: 1 million coins
Proof version: 5 000 coincards + XXX annual proof sets
The other design projects (not adopted)
Project 2€ Erasmus 2022 N°1, german project
This coin was designed by artist Thomas SERRES for GERMANY.
Project 2€ Erasmus 2022 N°2, MRB project
This project was presented by Belgium and designed by the artist Iris BRUIJNS (click here to read IRIS project dedicated article).
It is not Luc LUYCX (the father of the common sides of the euro circulation coins) who designed this coin, whereas generally it is the engraver who designs the entire Belgian annual numismatic program.
Project 2€ Erasmus 2022 N°3
The design represents how the Erasmus program, during these 35 years, gave a great opportunity, to all the citizens, to challenge themselves. The design illustrates the youth and the desire to get involved in a new adventure. The route is the path of personal growth, represented by different symbols: sport, education, travel, independence, freedom, equality and job opportunity; values that this program always embraced. Erasmus is an all-round experience that wants to lead to a higher empathy and inclusion level to make democracy every day more efficient.
Project 2€ Erasmus 2022 N°4
Projet 2€ Erasmus 2022 N°5
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Source : European Commission – NUMISMAG©
7 Comments
Erwin
18th Aug 2021 - 13 h 36 minNetherlands will also issue €2 Erasmus coin confirmed by Ministerie van Financiën.
Pierre
18th Aug 2021 - 23 h 28 minThanks for the info. Do you have a link?
Erwin
21st Aug 2021 - 20 h 54 minI asked then per e-mail
Pierre
21st Aug 2021 - 22 h 54 minMay you copy the KNM answer then?
Erwin
22nd Aug 2021 - 18 h 09 minI asked the Ministery of Finance, not KNM. Its public information from the Ministery.
Pierre
22nd Aug 2021 - 22 h 44 minThanks, article updated.
Armin Helbig
5th Oct 2021 - 10 h 37 minMan sollte bei den Kleinstaaten Andorra,San Marino,Vatikan die Ausgabe von 2 Eurogedenkmünzen auf nur 1 jährlich reduzieren.