2016-02-06 Sat

Slovakia has announced plans to issue circulating €2 coins that commemorate the country’s first presidency of the Council of the European Union – the upper house of the EU legislature. Each nation of the European Union takes turns to serve in the presidency of the Council for a term of six months.

Slovakia will be in the shared leadership role for the first time beginning July 1, 2016 up to December 31, 2016. To mark this event, 1 million commemorative coins are set to be released in March.

The obverse of the coin showcases the Coat of Arms of the Slovak Republic against a background of dynamic lines which represent Slovakia’s position and importance during its presidency. To its right is the year of issue ‘2016’ and around, an inscription translating to ‘Slovak Presidency of the EU Council’. The mint mark and the designer’s initials are located below the motif and 12 stars of the European Union flag surround the design on the outer ring of the coin. The reverse is the same as other €2 coins.

The commemorative coins are bimetallic weighing 8.5 grams each with a diameter of 25.75 mm.