2016-04-18 Mon

Hundreds of people queued up outside Bundesbank in Frankfurt, Germany on April 14, 2016 for a chance to add the newly unveiled 5-euro coin to their collection.

The coin is the first of its kind – it is the first 5-euro coin to be circulated in Germany and it is made from a combination of plastic and metal components. While this coin was released into circulation on April 15 2016, it remains legal tender only in Germany. It is likely to be sought by collectors instead of using it for transactions.

The polymer ring on the coin is an added security feature guarding against counterfeiters. It can be manufactured in different colours using various coloured pigments. When exposed to UV light, the ring can also change colours. This security feature was developed by Dr. Peter Huber – Director of the Staatliche Münzen Baden-Württemberg, and Günther Waadt – Director of the Bayerisches Hauptmünzamt.

The obverse of the coin depicts all the continents of the world inside a blue plastic-wrapped circle while the reverse showcases an eagle, the official symbol of Germany, surrounded by the 12 EU stars. The obverse was designed by Stefan Klein and the reverse, by Alina Hoyer.