€2 Commemorative Coins

€2 commemorative coins are special euro coins minted and issued by member states of the eurozone since 2004 as legal tender in all eurozone member states. A country can issue one such coin per six months. The coins typically commemorate the anniversaries of historical events or draw attention to current events of special importance. As of 2012, a hundred and twenty-six variations of €2 commemorative coins have been minted – six in 2004, eight in 2005, seven in 2006, twenty in 2007 (including the thirteen versions of the common issue), ten in 2008, twenty-five in 2009 (including the sixteen versions of the common issue), twelve in 2010, sixteen in 2011 and twenty-two in 2012 (including the seventeen versions of the common issue). At least five more issues are planned for 2012. The €2 commemorative coins have become collectibles, but are different from commemorative coins with a face value different than €2, which are officially designated as "collector coins" and usually made of precious metals.

Only the country sides of the coins may be changed; the common side may not. In 2007, 2009 and 2012, all countries released common commemorative coins, though Cyprus, Estonia and Ireland have not released any independently. Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, San Marino and the Vatican City are the only countries to have released at least 1 commemorative coin every year. The number of commemorative coins is limited to two (before 2012 to one) per country per year and to 5 percent of the total output. Limits on the designs are also in place to ensure uniformity.