A new €2 coin is to come into circulation in France from January 1 to celebrate 20 years of the common currency and the French presidency of the European Union council.
The coin will be minted in, and unique to, France (other EU countries have their own two-euro coin designs) but it will still be valid currency across the entire Eurozone.
A total of 30 million of the new coins will enter circulation after being minted. This is the first time that a new two-euro coin design has entered circulation [in France] since the euro came into force on January 1, 2002.
Other two-euro coins have been issued, however these were commemorative coins and were not considered to be [actively participating] in circulation despite being used.
The new coin is still a two-colour piece, with copper and silver, but has a new design.
Pic: The Connexion
New design elements comprise:
The French motto, Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité
Leaves: Representing diversity and national unity
Oak and olive branches: Symbols of the Republic. Oak - Sign of strength and solidity. Olive - Symbol of peace, reaching out towards the European stars around the edge of the coin, to symbolise peace and spreading these values across the EU
Stars of the European Union around the edge
Rising hexagons in the background: A symbol of the rise of France
Trio of lines in the middle: Representing strength, historic and constitutional roots
Year of minting (2022)
A cornucopia of abundance: The stamp of the Paris Mint
The stamp of the Chief Engraver at the Paris Mint, Joaquin Jimenez
