Coins DIG

On February 1, 2008, the International Herald Tribune reported that the Europeans, living in the 27 countries that are members of the European Union, have been welcomed to give their vote for the best design of the new commemorative two euro coin that was minted to mark the 10^th anniversary of the union's own single currency.

First there were 42 original designs that were provided by national mints from around 15 nations that featured euro in their circulation. These countries are: Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Greece, Austria, Portugal and Finland, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta. From these forty two designs only five were selected.

It is worth mentioning that after the selecting process the design that wins will be, in fact, only the second commemorative Euro coin. In 2007 a two euro commemorative coin was issued to mark the anniversary of the European Union which turned exactly half a century.

The five finalists can be viewed on http://www.eurodesigncontest.eu and until February 22, 2008, visitors are free to vote for their favorite. The winning design of the €2 coin will be announce three days later on February 25. Besides the announcement of the coin, chosen to be officially the second commemorative coin of the EU, one person will be randomly chosen from all voters to get the collectors set of gold euro coins.