A touch of Genius

Issued year - 2009, September

The bicentenary of the birth of Louis Braille coin, along with the others depicted in the image were also sent by Bernard, in exchange for several portuguese ones.

In the French town of Coupvray, near Paris, there stands a little stone house that, in 1809, was the home of the local harness maker, Simon René Braille, his wife Monique, and their growing family. On January 4th of that year, the house grew a little livelier with the birth of their fourth child, Louis. Louis was a bright and inquisitive child, characteristics that were to play a role both in the tragic accident that caused his blindness and in his triumph over the limitations to reading that were the normal consequences of blindness at that time...See last post and the next ones

Issuing volume: 5.000.000

Two more Mecklenburg

Issued year - 2007, February
Still in November, the second swap with Bernard from The Netherlands brought me 5 commemorative (all depicted in the image) and 2 currency coins. Now, with these 2 commemorative German second series - 2007 with mintmarks "G" and "J", only mintmark "A", is missing. Thanks, Bernard.

Germany started the commemorative coin series "The 16 States of the Federal Republic of Germany" in 2006. One coin representing a German state will be issued per year between 2006 and 2021 and will coincide with that state's presidency of the 'Bundesrat'.

See the next Posts

Issuing volume of this 2007 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Bundesland series:

"A" - Berlin: aaaAa1.000.000

"D" - Munich: aaa14.500.000

"F" - Stuttgart: Aa8.000.000

"G" - Karslruhe: a5.000.000

"J" - Hamburg: aA1.500.000mmmmmTotal: 30.000.000

Luxembourg EMU

Issued year - 2009, January

There it is. Depicted in the image, the second commemorative coin that Marián Sedílek, from Slovakia, sent me (see last post). One magnificent coin commemorating ten years of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), from Luxembourg, with a slightly different design from all the other countries (with vertical stripes in the center).

As a rule, euro countries may each issue only one €2 commemorative coin per year. Exceptionally, they are allowed to issue another, provided that it is a joint issuance like this EMU coin, and commemorates events of European-wide importance. These coins use a common design on the national side, showing the name of the issuing country as well as the event commemorated in the respective language(s).

Once again, thanks...

Issuing volume: 1.400.000

Freedom and Democracy

Issued year - 2009, November

This new Slovakian beauty depicted in the image together with the Luxembourg EMU coin, are the result of my first exchange with Marián Sedílek, from Slovakia. These two in exchange for 2 commemorative portuguese coins.

20th anniversary of 17 November 1989 (Day of the fight for freedom and democracy).The coin shows a stylised bell with keys serving as clappers. It recalls the demonstration on 17 November 1989 when protesters jangled their keys to symbolise the unlocking of doors, an event which marked the beginning of the ‘Velvet Revolution’ in Czechoslovakia, as it then was.

Thanks, Marián.

See next Post

Issuing volume: 1.000.000

German EMU

Issued year - 2009, January
It's almost 2010 and only now have I been able to get my first German EMU - with mintmark "G" - Karslruhe, due to a recent swap with Agostoni Roberta, from Italy. In our first swap, she sent me 4 coins, the German EMU and 3 currency coins, all depicted in the image, in exchange by several portuguese coins.

Thanks, Roberta.

The new 2 euro coin, issued last January, celebrates ten years of economic and monetary union (EMU). EU citizens and residents have selected the design by an on-line vote. The design, which symbolizes the euro as the latest step in the long history of European economic integration, was created by Mr G. Stamatopoulos, sculptor at the Minting Department of the Greek Central Bank. The centre of the coin shows a stylised human figure whose left arm is prolonged by the euro symbol.

A = Berlin Mint

D = Munich Mint

F = Stuttgart Mint

G = Karslruhe Mint

J = Hamburg Mint

Issuing volume: 30.000.000

22 coins

1
1

Issued year - 2009, February

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaSaarland State - Bundesländer

1 Saajjj
22 coins (all depicted in the image) sent by Bernard de Waard, from Netherlands, in our first swap. In exchange for several portuguese coins, I receive his package with 21 currency and one fabulous commemorative Saarland State coin, featuring Ludwig Church in Saarbrücken with mintmark "G" - Karslruhe.

And we are now working on a new swap.

Thanks, Bernard.

Germany started the commemorative coin series "Die 16 Bundesländer der Bundesrepublik Deutschland" (The 16 States of the Federal Republic of Germany) in 2006. One coin representing a German state will be issued per year between 2006 and 2021 and will coincide with that state's presidency of the 'Bundesrat'.

Issuing volume of this 2009 Saarland bundesland series: 30.000.000

Greek EMU

Issuance year - 2009, January

George, from the country who created the Democracy, Greece, sent me all the coins depicted in the image, as a result of our last swap, happening last October.

The rare and magnificent 2009 commemorative EMU, but also one commemorative 2007 Rome Treaty and several missing currency, all from Greece, in exchange for portuguese coins and one Malta EMU coin.

Thanks, George.

Issuing volume of the Greek EMU: 4.000.000

Lost

Issuance year - 2007, March

Lost in time, the Austrian coin depicted in the image, is one of my first Rome Treaty in my collection, but I don't remember where or how I got it and I simply forgot to mention it here, all this time .
Austria has issued a 2 Euro commemorative coin in connection with 50th Anniversary of signing of the State Treaty.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Issuing volume: 9.000.000

Slovenian EMU coin

Issuance year - 2009, January

The wonderful Slovenian EMU commemorative coin and all the others depicted in the image were sent me by an Englishman, Michael Wheeler, living in Valencia, Spain. Beyond the Slovenian coin, he also sent the commemorative 2005 Austrian "50th anniversary of the Austrian State Treaty" and several missing currency coins, including one 20 cent 2003 S. Marino. Gracias, muchas gracias.

As a rule, euro countries may each issue only one €2 commemorative coin per year. Exceptionally, they are allowed to issue another, provided that it is a joint issuance like this EMU coin, and commemorates events of European-wide importance. These coins use a common design on the national side, showing the name of the issuing country as well as the event commemorated in the respective language(s).

Issuing volume of the Slovenian EMU coin: 1.000.000

Cherry on top of the cake

Treaty of Rome

Issuance year - 2007, March

Long waited, this greek coin has finally reached my possession. This one and all the others, depicted in the 3 last posts, are the result of my last exchange with Wendy, from The Netherlands.

So far, there are two commemorative coins that the euro countries have issued jointly: this one, in March 2007, to commemorate the "50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome" and in January 2009, the second, to celebrate the "10th anniversary of Economic and Monetary Union".

Issuing volume: 4.000.000

Noblesse oblige

Issuance year - 2009, January

As I expected, Wendy also sent this magnificent French EMU (economic and monetary union) coin, depicted in the image, in our last coin exchange. It sure looks good along with all the other six, but they are still several EMU coins missing in my collection. Merci bien, nice "Dutch".
In January 2009, the sixteen euro-area countries jointly issued a commemorative euro coin to celebrate ten years of Economic and Monetary Union and the launch of the euro.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmIssuing volume: 10.000.000

One more nice pair

1
1

Issued year - 2009, February

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaSaarland State - Bundesländer

1 Saajjj
Two more magnificent coins sent by Wendy, from Netherlands, in our last swap. Now, my 1st and 2nd 2009 German Bunsdesland series coins (4th of 16) and they feature Ludwig Church in Saarbrücken with mintmarks "D" - Munich and "F" - Stuttgart.

Germany started the commemorative coin series "Die 16 Bundesländer der Bundesrepublik Deutschland" (The 16 States of the Federal Republic of Germany) in 2006. One coin representing a German state will be issued per year between 2006 and 2021 and will coincide with that state's presidency of the 'Bundesrat'.

See last post and the next ones...

Issuing volume of this 2009 Saarland bundesland series: 30.000.000

Belgium - 2008 New Series

Another month, another swap with Wendy from The Netherlands. Among others she sent me 2 (2 € and 50 cent) shining 2008 Belgian coins (in 2008, Belgium slightly modified the design, although all the coins still depicts King Albert II).

Thanks.

Click here to see the image of the Belgian first series coins.

Since 1999 to 2007.

Click here to see the image of the 2008 Belgian second series coins.

One more EMU coin

Issued year - 2009, January3 fabulous 2009 Slovakian currency BNC coin sets, two great Slovakian EMU commemorative coins (see last two posts), and also the Austrian EMU coin, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the introduction of the euro, all depicted in the image, are the result of my last exchange with one Slovak collector, Michal.

Thanks again.

bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbIssuing volume: 5.000.000

Not one, but two

Issued year - 2009, January
In the picture are depicted two more coins sent by Michal, from Slovakia, beside the 3 currency coins sets (see the last post). From the newest Euro zone member and the sixteenth one, two wonderful 2009 BNC Slovakian EMU coins, and still one more from another country (see it in the next post).

aaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssaaaffffaaaaaaIssuing volume: 2.500.000

Crosses, Castles and Mountains

The 8 (x3) slovakian beauties, depicted in the image are the result of my last exchange, this time from a Slovakian collector, Michal. Thanks.

On January 1, 2009, The Slovak Republic, also known as Slovakia, became the newest nation to join the Euro. The 1 and 2 € coins depict a double cross on three hills, as featured in the national emblem of Slovakia. The 10, 20 and 50 centimes coins show Bratislava castle and the national emblem of Slovakia. The 1, 2 and 5 cent coins feature the Tatra Mountains’ peak, Kriváň, a symbol of the sovereignty of the Slovak nation, and the national emblem of Slovakia.

Click here to see the image of the eight fabulous Slovakian coins.

Portuguese Language

Issued year - 2009, April

The Europe Cultural Heritage - Portuguese Language

150.000 coins were made this year with these two original and awesome designs to honor Luís de Camões and Fernando Pessoa for their impact on literature and language.

Adventurer and poet Luís de Camões (1524-1580) wrote the epic poem "The Lusiads" with Virgil's Aeneid as his main influence. Modern Portuguese poetry is roted in neo classic and contemporary styles, as exemplified by Fernando Pessoa (1888-1935).

Rare Beauty

Issued year - 2009, June

2nd Lusophony Games - 2.º Jogos da Lusofonia

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The original and extremely beautiful coin depicted in the image shows a gymnast swirling a long ribbon and for the first time it shows different rings in the stars area (concentric circular lines). The Lusophony Games is a multinational multi-sport event, which involves athletes coming from Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) countries, namely those belonging to the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries), but also others where there are significant Portuguese communities or that have a common past with Portugal. It will take place in Lisbon, from July 11 to July 19.

4
I'm trying hard to get, this month, more of this beautiful coin celebrating Lusophony Games.

Issuing volume: 1.250.000

The ninth coin...

Issued year - 2008, February

There it is. The last of the nine coins that Wendy from The Netherlands sent me. Nine commemorative coins exchanged by nine portuguese commemorative ones. The beautiful coin depicted in the image, shows Grand-Duke Henri and the official residence "Château de Berg".

See last 5 posts.

Issuing volume: 1.300.000

Finnish TOR

Issued year - 2007, March

It had to be like that. Once again Wendy dit it. She sent this magnificent and "rare" finnish Treaty of Rome coin and also 8 more commemorative (all depicted in the image), in exchange of 9 portuguese ones. Now, only Greece, Luxembourg and Slovenia TOR coins, are missing.

13 of the 16 Eurozone members have issued a 2 euro commemorative in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which laid the foundation of the European Union.

See the last 4 posts and the next one.

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFAAA

AADDDDIiiiiiii Issuing volume: 1.400.000

"Dutch" EMU coins

Issuance year - 2009, January

AA3 Economic Monetary Union coins from Netherlands, all thanks to a recent swap with Wendy, from The Netherlands. Two coins are available to swap but one of this Dutch coin is now going to make company to the other Portuguese, Belgium and Malta EMU coins in my collection. See last 3 posts and also the next ones, to see all the 9 commemorative coins that we exchanged.

Issuing volume: 5.300.000

One more German...

Issued year - 2008, FebruaryGermany started issuing the commemorative coin series "The 16 States of the Federal Republic of Germany" in 2006. One coin representing a German state will be issued per year between 2006 and 2021 and will coincide with the state's presidency of the 'Bundesrat'.

Wendy also sent this german coin that belongs to the third Series - 2008 with mintmark "G" - Karslruhe, and all the others depicted in the image (9).

See the last two posts and the next ones.

Issuing volume of this 2008 Hamburg Bundesland series: 30.000.000

No longer missing

Issued year - 2006, February
Again, due to a recent swap with the "Dutch" Wendy, I have now all the 5 german mintmarks of the first coin series "The 16 States of the Federal Republic of Germany" - 2006. A total of nine, she sent these 2 missing Schleswig-Holstein Bunsdesland with "A" - Berlin and "J" Hamburg mintmarks. See yesterday post and the next ones.

Issuing volume of this Schleswig-Holstein Bundesland series: 30.000.000

By mistake

Issuance year - 2007, March

Only one coin depicted in the image result of a recent exchange with Wendy from Netherlands and I forgot to mention the other, since last year, here in the blog. She sent this Italian Rome Treaty and 8 more shinning commemorative coins, in exchange of 9 Portuguese commemorative ones. Thanks again, Wendy.

See next posts.

aa Issuing volume: 5.000.000

Lucky day...

Issuance year - 2008, July

These 2 coins depicted in the image - French Presidency of the Council of the European Union - came from the small changes found evereday, and it was so easy, probably because the Euro zone's economic situation.

Issuing volume: 20.000.000