2 cent euro coins

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[edit] Design

See also: Euro coins#Current design

The 2c, 10c and 20c coins, showing their unique edges.

The coins are made of a steel core plated with copper. They have a diameter of 18.75 mm, a 1.67 mm thickness and a mass of 3.06 grams. They incorporate a distinctive groove running circumferentially around the edge of the coin; this groove can be felt easily by running the finger tip or a fingernail across the edge of the coin. All coins have a common obverse side and country-specific national reverse.

The present common design displays "Europe's place in the world", bordered by North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The fifteen European Union member states at the time the coin was designed are highlighted, but this was not considered prominent enough to warrant a change in design when the non-copper coins were redesigned in 2007 to reflect the post-2004 enlargements. This side also shows a large figure 2 and the words "euro cent", twelve stars are also displayed in two groups along the edge.

Although there are no plans to get rid of the two cent coin, the Commission and some member states have proposed that its national side be standardised across the eurozone to reduce the cost of its production.

There is some scope for confusion with the US penny, which is similar in appearance to the two euro-cent coin.

[edit] Usage

Main article: Euro coins#Small-denomination coins

Finnish and Dutch businesses and banks employ a method known as "Swedish rounding" when tallying sums, with the smallest unit being taken as 5 cents. Due in large part to the inefficiency of producing and accepting the 1c and 2c coins, Finland has opted to remove these coins from general circulation in order to offset the cost involved in accepting them. The 1c and 2c coins are legal tender and are still minted for collector sets as required by the European Monetary Union (EMU) agreement.

While individual prices are still shown and summed up with €0.01 precision, the total sum is then rounded to the nearest €0.05. Sums ending in €0.01, €0.02, €0.06 and €0.07 are rounded down to the nearest 5 cents; sums ending in €0.03, €0.04, €0.08 and €0.09 are rounded up to the nearest 5c.

A survey in 2004 found that a majority of citizens would like the one and two cent coins to be withdrawn across the eurozone. Citizens in Germany though were vocal in the support of the coin. At present, the three copper coins together represent 80% of all new coins minted in the eurozone.

[edit] National sides

Austria: The edelweiss, a flower of the Austrian Alps.	Belgium: Effigy and monogram of King Albert II	Cyprus: The Mouflon	Finland: The heraldic lion of Finland found on the Coat of arms of Finland.
France: Portrait of Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic.	Germany: German oak twig which also was featured on the former pfennig.	Greece: A corvette (or dromon) of the early 19th century.	Ireland: The traditional Irish harp
Italy: Mole Antonelliana, a tower symbolising the city of Turin.	Luxembourg: Effigy of Grand Duke Henri	Malta: Mnajdra temples	Monaco: The Coat of arms of Monaco
Netherlands: Portrait of Queen Beatrix, her title around the edge.	Portugal: The royal seal of 1134	San Marino: Statue of Liberty	Slovakia: Kriváň, a symbolic mountain in the High Tatras.
Slovenia: The Prince's Stone, where Karantanian Dukes were installed.	Spain: The Obradoiro façade of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.	Vatican: Effigy of Pope Benedict XVI

[edit] Former designs

Designs still in circulation but no longer minted:

Monaco: The Coat of arms of Monaco	Vatican City: Effigy of Pope John Paul II	Vatican City: Issued during the Sede vacante period. Insignia of the Apostolic Chamber and the Coat of arms of the Cardinal Chamberlain.	Finland: 1st Series (1999–2006)
Belgium: 1st Series (1999–2007)

[edit] Planned designs

Planned designs to come into circulation once the members who designed them adopt the euro. The dates shown below are tentative and have not been confirmed. They have been mentioned in the media and several other sources, but are subject to change.