Does anyone have any information about the various Euro coins that have a denomination above 2 Euros? I have got the 12 Euros from Spain that commemorates Spain's presidency of the European Union in 2002. Do you know if Ireland has such coins?
Euro-issuing countries are allowed to issue commemoratives in denominations above the top standard €2 circulating coin, and most (if not all) do so; some more than others.
What Roy said. Of all the commemorative issues around. The ones I find particularly fascinating are the Austrian 25 euro `niobium' coins. They are bimetallics consisting of a silver outer ring with a niobium centre. The interesting thing about the metal `niobium' is that with the right electrochemical treatment it becomes coloured (no pigmentation added). There have been two issued so far (mintage limited to 50,000). The first was in 2003 and commemorated the 700th anniversary of the mint at Hall. The niobium centre had an irridescent gunmetal blue colouration to it. The second commemorated the railroads in Austria. The centre was irridescent green. The issue price for both was €45 and both have been complete sell-outs. The Hall mint commem. now changes hands for upwards of €150. The railroads one usually commands around €100 when you can find them. Here's the Hall one (if i can remember how to do this properly). Enjoy!
Also would like to point out that many of the Euro countries release their silver euros at face value. No premiums paid for getting silver commemoratives. Now the proof coins is a different story as they range in value from nominal to extremely expensive, according to the euro country releasing them, so I have stuck with, for the most part, obtaining the uncirculated versions (BU). I have the Austrian niobium coin with the trains and must agree---VERY UNIQUE LOOK!!! Still searching for the first one at a price that is affordable but don't anticipate that happening. I have 2 or 3 Irish silver commemoratives as I have already traded off my extras that I did receive out of Europe. I know you can get on the mailing list of the Irish mint but don't have the info here in front of me at this time. I will see if I can locate it.
