2 EURO 2009
In 2006 Germany began issuing an annual series of 2 euro commemorative coins, one new design per year. The series of coins will reflect the rotation of the presidency of the �Bundesrat�, or the upper chamber of the National German Parliament. Thus, the coin for this year will feature the �Holsentor� the well known gate located in the northern city of Luebeck, in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, the current president of the upper chamber.
The reverse of the bi-metal coin shows a straight on view of the stout intricate gate constructed in the late Middle Ages. The gate is depicted in the inner yellow colored core. In the outer ring are the European stars as well as the year of issue, 2006. In the lower half of the outer ring is the country of issue, �Bundesrepublik Deutschland� or Federal Republic of Germany.
The gate was constructed between 1464 and 1478 during a period of �modernization� of the fortifications of this Hanseatic city. The complex timber frame and brick construction has some walls that are more than 11 feet thick. The gate was built on a somewhat marshy area that had been re-enforced, at the time, with additional soil. However, over the centuries it has sunken slightly on one side. A major restoration of the gate was undertaken in the 1860�s. From 1931 to 1933 further attempts to re-enforce the gate were undertaken by encircling the towers with iron rings anchored into the ground.
The Holsentor has become the symbol of the city of Luebeck, as well as being depicted on many products produced in the area, such as the delectable Marzipan treats manufactured there. The Holsentor used to also be found on the 50 German mark circulating banknote as well as numerous stamps from Germany.
Each of the five German state mints are authorized to issue this 2 euro coin. Thus, each coin will bear one of the five mint marks: which are A, D, F, G, J or Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe and Hamburg respectively. The mint mark is located on the national side of the coin, along side the depiction of the Gate. The maximum total mintage will be 30 million pieces.
All these 2 euro coins have the same technical specifications as the 2 euro pieces already in circulation. The 2 euro coins have a diameter of 25.75 mm and weigh 8.5 grams. The outer ring with a whitish metal color is made of cupro-nickel while the yellow colored inner core consists of a three layered nickel and brass metal with an inner core that is pure nickel.
Every year, each country that is a member of the euro zone is allowed to issue one commemorative 2 euro coin. These coins have the same design on the European side or the obverse.
The other side of the 2 euro coin has a national representation of the country that issued the coin and it is this side that may be changed to a new design, one per year, and authorized euro issuing country. These coins will be put into circulation and are accepted for their full face value in any country of the euro zone.
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