2 euro FRANCE (2012) 10 Years of Euro in Circulation

in the centre a concave symbol of the euro currency € inscribed into a globe; around the globe several simplified pictographs symbolising society and industry; along the top edge: RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE (French Republic); along the bottom edge dates 2002 2012; at the edge a ring of twelve five-pointed stars - symbol of the European Union

left from the coin centre face value: 2, on the right inscription: EURO; in the background of the inscription a map of Europe; in the background of the map vertically six parallel lines ending on both sides with five-pointed stars (the reverse is common for all euro coins)

reeded with concave inscription:

2 I 2012

in circulation

Helmut Andexlinger (concave initials A.H. on the globe surface above the date 2002 on the obverse), Luc Luycx (initials LL below letter 'O' in EURO on the reverse)

La Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint), Pessac (mint mark after FRANÇAISE in the obverse, after year of issue 2012 privy mark of mint's director Yves Sampo - rosette)

2012

10 000 000

+ 10 000 in boxed commemorative sets

Privy marks of the general engravers of the Mint of Paris, which can be found on French coins produced after 1944:

Lucien Bazor	1931-1958		wing
Raymond Joly	1958-1974		owl
Emile Rousseau	1974-1994		dolphin
Pierre Rodier	1994-2000		bee
Gérard Buquoy	2001-2002		horseshoe
Serge Levet	2003		heart
Hubert Larivière	2004-2010		horn
Yves Sampo	from 2011		rosette

On January 1st, 1999 euro [EUR] became an official (although virtual) currency in 11 countries of the European Union. The first coins were minted already in 1999, but real money entered circulation only on January 1, 2002. In the competition for an obverse design commemorating this fact, the proposal of Helmut Andexlinger from Austrian Mint has won. All of the euro-zone countries issued coins with the same obverse motif. Let's meet defeated finalists of the voting for the best commemorative design.