EURO COINS

There are eight euro coins with the following denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimes, and 1 and 2 euros. All the coins have one common side and another side that identifies the issuing country.

Additionally, in the member countries of the euro zone, other states such as Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City and Andorra have minted euro coins; in the case of Andorra, the signing of the Monetary Agreement with the European Union allows Andorra to mint euro coins and also to issue its own coins for circulation and collecting.

 
Damaged and defective coins

Even though the coins are resistant to use thanks to the material they are made of (copper, bronze, brass...), various factors such as deformation, corrosion, fire etc. mean that they can become defective or lose the definition of the motifs on their sides and edges.

Unlike notes, euro coins are the competence of each country rather than the ECB, although a country must first inform the European Commission if it wishes to issue a coin with a new design; the Commission will publish this information in the Official Journal of the European Union. This procedure is followed in order to control inflation and maintain price stability, and it avoids an excess of notes and coins in circulation. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the ECB to authorise the volume of coins issued by the countries of the euro zone. In the case of notes, it is the exclusive responsibility of the ECB to authorise issuances of coins and the volume of these.

Commemorative coins and coins for collection

Each country may issue up to two commemorative coins per year, and only €2 coins of a commemorative nature may be minted. These commemorative coins have the same characteristics, properties and common side as all other 2€ coins and they are differentiated by the commemorative motif that appears on the national side.

All commemorative coins are legal tender in the euro zone and, accordingly, they can be used and must be accepted like any other euro coin.

The coins for collection issued by Andorra are legal tender in Andorra although the AFA will take all appropriate technical measures to discourage the use of these coins as a means of payment.

The name of Andorra should be clearly and easily visible on the coins, and they may only be commercialised at their nominal value or above.