1999: Several countries begin minting standardized euro coins. After three years of stockpiling them, fifteen "countries" issued fifteen designs. There have been more, of course. three other countries have been issuing them since last year, plus several have changed some designs (the vatican and Monaco, for example) So: Has euro coin collecting been worth it? are there enough circulating types to keep everyone happy? Has anyone seen the Prince Albert II coins in circulation? What was your best find? Do you only buy sets? Are they overpriced?
I do like the 2 euro commems most of them are quite affordable in Unc condition but then you have Monaco/Vatican/San Marino they go for big bucks. With the general issues some designs are infinatly nicer than others LOL
Yes, I do collect them, since they are what I come across in circulation every day. Admittedly I buy many, as some pieces - particularly the commemorative €2 coins - are not that easy to find in circulation. Do I try to be complete? Well, yes, but according to my conditions, hehe: I don't collect all years and mintmarks, but if there is a design change, I want the new design too. Let's just say I'm recovering from the effects of the new maps on the common sides ... As for the three non-EU countries that issue euro coins (Monaco, San Marino, Vatican), I buy what I can get at a price that is OK by me. Paying hundreds on a Grace Kelly commem - nah, thanks. By the way, minting began in 1998 (May '98 in Pessac, August '98 in Munich for example) but in Jan '99 the euro was "born" as a currency. Which is also why in January the - then 16 - member states of the EU that use the euro will all issue the "stickman" €2 coin to celebrate the anniversary. The design is dull in my opinion; do I really want 16 (or 20 including mintmarks) versions of that? By and large collecting the circulation and commemorative (€2) coins is still fun though. Now the regional collector coins, or pricy proof sets, I don't care too much about. Christian
To me no it hasn't I thought it be an interesting thing to do when i was there for a few weeks on vacation but I didn't run across a ton that I liked. I still have my 5 cent italian piece (colossuem (sp)) and a 2 euro coin (mind you not the one i ment to save lol) Its got some older looking lady on it but the one i wanted is in chrisild's avatar.
My avatar image is the Italian €1 coin; right now I don't have any doubles, sorry. That elderly lady was probably her: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/images/image8556.gif €2 Austria, featuring Bertha von Suttner (pacifist and Nobel Prize winner). Below the word EURO you see the Austrian flag which is used as a country identifier on all the circulation pieces from AT. But I guess you have to know what it is in order to recognize what it is. Christian
Ha yeah thats her alright n yeah def not the best when it comes 2 identifying flags but thx for the info. and no worries theres several places here that you can trade currencies with so i can pick up a few euros now and again n hopefully get one
She won the Nobel Peace prize for suggesting that there be a Nobel Peace Prize. Quaint, but does she deserve to be on the money. Her being such a resounding failure and all?
Sems that many, including the Austrian government, have a different opinion of her life and achievements. Admittedly I was a little surprised when I first saw the final Austrian designs - had expected to find Mozart on the €2 coin and somebody like, say, Freud on the €1 piece. But I guess they wanted a man and a woman ... By the way, Germany issued a €10 Bertha von Suttner collector coin in 2005. Christian
