Who else is collecting Euro coins,apart from me?

BCNumismatics

Who else is collecting Euro coins,apart from me? Which country or countries are you collecting,& are you collecting by both date & mintmark as well?

In my case,I am collecting the Euro coins from Cyprus,Ireland,& Malta.I've been collecting Irish Euro coins by date,but I will be also collecting both Cypriot & Maltese Euro coins by date as well.

You can include Euro-denominated medal-coins here as well,including ones for Gibraltar & the Isle of Man.

Aidan.

theboz11

I may have three or 4 patterns as part of my themes.

newsman

I hear there's someone putting together the finest-known set of Slovenian Euros for a set registry award next year.

farthing

I collect them out of my pocket change (country/date/mm) when I'm in Europe. I have bought a few sets off of eBay as I have never received a Finnish euro "in the wild" and have only received 2-3 Austrian, Greek and Irish coins. The rest of the euro zone coins seems to be fairly easy to find in change in the countries I travel in.

I did get a mint set of San Marino coins the first year from the mint - I should have sold it on eBay that first year when they were HOT!

ProofArtworkonCircs

When the Euros first entered circulation, I tried to collect both coins and paper currency. I soon gave up since it was hard to find a source of supply and/or information. One thing I found fascinating was that Greece required a lot of help from several different foreign mints. A chap from Greece was selling sets of foreign mint Greek coins. I bought one set. The Euro notes indicate the county of issue by prefix letter and also include a letter code for the printer. (Actually, you can also identify the country of origin by dividing the serial number by 9 and noting the remainder.) Again Greece had a number of printers. The Bank of England printed a small quantity of notes. I have never learned if they were issued or destroyed. Another English outfit, De la Rue, printed notes for Ireland and Finland. England still has pound and pence and does not use the Euro.

I did end up as a regular customer of Vatican City issues. They regularily send me an order form with the quantity ordered pre-printed.

I also ended up with at least one coin from the original set of countries including Monaco and San Marino.

BCNumismatics

Herbert,
You can find a list of the Euro banknote country codes here.

I have got the Irish 5 & 10 Euros dated 2002 (which have the letter 'T' at the start of the serial number),which have the signature of the late Wim Duisenberg.

I hope to get the Cypriot & Maltese 5 & 10 Euro notes one day.

Aidan.

ColinCMR

i have a few circs, but i don't focus on them in any way

BCNumismatics

Colin,
Can you please post up some photos?

Aidan.

theboz11

I looked through mine and the ones I have are ECU Patterns. The only Euro I could find was this one.

DBSTrader2

By trading, I tried to develop a set of 1 per denomination per mintmark per country per year for each of the "original 12" countries** coins, starting with 1999 thru 2002.

That left me with a binder with about 13 4x5 sheets of flips (approx 210 coins), and about 47 holes, most of which were either never minted or circulated.

I moved on to other areas after then, and never got a chance to add any of the "latecomers" (either Monaco or San Marino) or any of the newer ones since (new countries like the Vatican, Cypres, Malta, etc) or any from proof-only sets.

After looking for more trading partners without any success, I sent my older son off with all my extras to spend while on his recent "People-to-People" trip to England & France.

Your post has revived my interest in completing what I can for my collection. If anyone has an extra of any of the countries/dates/mintmark/denomination combinations below available to trade, or can definitively tell me certain combinations also listed below were either never minted or circulated, I would appreciate it.....................

- - Dave

**Austria, Belguim, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, & Spain




EURO NEEDS:

FINLAND: 2000: .20, .01 2002: $1
FRANCE: 2002: $2, $1, 5c, 2c, & 1c
NETHERLANDS: 2002: 10c, 5c, & 1c
SPAIN: 2000: 20c

SAN MARINO: 2002: 20c, 50c, $1, $2
MONACO: 2001: $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, & 1c




Did any of the below get minted and circulated? I need those as well if any did:

BELGIUM: 1999: $2, .20, .02 2000: $1, .50, .10, .05, .01 2001: $2, $1, .50, .20, .05, .02 2002: .50, .10 thru .01

FINLAND: 2000: .20 2001: .50, .10, .02, .01 2002: $2, .50, .10, .02, .01

SPAIN: 2002: .50, .05, .02, .01

theboz11

This Finland did not circulate,

BCNumismatics

<< <i>This Finland did not circulate,
>>



Theboz11,
What was the photo supposed to have been of,as it doesn't show up?

The 1 Euro-Cent,2,& 5 Euro-Cents don't circulate in Finland at all,but they are still struck for the collectors' market.In the Netherlands,these 3 coins also don't circulate either.I think that this is also the case in Belgium.

As for the Euro coins from Monaco,San Marino,& the Vatican City in Rome,their Euro coins are really medal-coins,as they are not really issued for circulation,unlike the Monegasque Franc,San Marinese Lira,& the Vatican City Lira,which were often found in change in France & Italy respectively.

Aidan.

theboz11

Sorry, I corrected the problem

DBSTrader2

I was lucky enough to get one of the rare, non-circulating Finland 1999 1cent coins (looking at it right now, in fact). I also have the 5cent from 1999 - - I am missing the 2cent from 1999, however.

My understanding is that not all countries minted all denominations all years for circulation. Some made do with those minted by neighboring countries, some minted enough of each denomination in altering years to not need each and every each year. And some still used old coinage for the first year or so. Below is what I know from my collecting several years ago. (If I am incorrect in any of my info, I would appreciate anyone who can correct my understanding.)

As a result, I have all Finland from 1999 except the 2cent. In 2000, I am missing the 1cent, and show the 20cent as "not minted". Then, in 2001, only the $2, $1, 20cent and 5cent show as "minted". And in 2002, the last year I actively collected for, only the 20cent, 5cent, (and possibly the $1, which I am missing) were "minted".

Of course, Finland is one of the the more extreme cases.

Belgium is pretty close, apparently only circulating the following: 1999 = $1, 50c, 10c, 5c, 1c. 2000 = $2, 20c, & 2c. 2001 = 10c & 1c 2002 = $2, $1, & 20c. Most of the rest were either minted but not for circulation, or not minted at all.

Austria apparently did not start minting their own until a full range of denominations in 2002.

France apparently minted everything from 1999-2001, but then only the 10cent for 2002 was minted for circulation (at least by the time I quit actively searching).

Germany didn't start minting for circulation until 2002, at which time it released full sets for each of its x mntmarks (A, D, F, G, & J).

Greece also started in 2002, with many of their coins minted by mints from other nations, and designated as such by mintmarks in one of the reverse stars. "S" were minted in Finland, "F" in France, & "E" in Spain.)

Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg & Portugal also both started issuing the full range of denominations in 2002.

The Netherlands started with the full range in 1999. It was not until 2002 that some denominations appear not to have been minted for circulation (10c, 5c, & 1c).

Spain started with a full set in 1999. I am not sure whether or not they were minted for circulation, but I am missing the 20c & 1c from 2000. 2001 saw a full set again, while 2002 appears not to have minted the 50c, 5c, 2c, or 1c.

- - Dave

BCNumismatics

Dave,
Some countries actually struck Euro coins as far back as 1998,but only put the '2002' date on them,whereas,other countries must have the actual year of striking on their coins,because that is what the local laws say.

In Luxembourg's case,the 2002-dated coins actually have the Royal Dutch Mint's privy marks that were in use in 2000.

Some member states of the Eurozone have unusual denominations for their local coins & medal-coins.For example,Slovenia has had bimetallic 3 Euro coins,Ireland has had a silver Proof 15 Euros,Portugal has been issuing 8 Euros,& Spain has been issuing 12 Euros.

France has been issuing medal-coins for 25 Euro-Cents & 1-1/2 Euros as well.

Aidan.

Sapyx

I'm like ColinCMR I suspect; I keep any euro coins that come my way, but don't actively seek any missing ones.

With this "ad hoc" collecting method, I've only managed to acquire complete type sets for Germany, Italy and Ireland. There are some countries I don't have any euro coins from at all - I have nothing from Finland, the microstates or any of the newer euro issuers (Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta).

DBSTrader2

Aiden:

Thanks for reminding me about the 2002 date. I remember hearing that before. To clarify - - did those countries issue those coins for actual circulation before 2002, or hold them from 1999 until then?

Thx!

- - Dave

Sapyx

The euro became an electronic currency in 1999, but did not enter circulation as physical paper and metal until January 1, 2002. The euro was introduced everywhere in the Eurozone at the same time. All the Eurozone countries, in anticipation of this launch date, pre-struck their stockpiles of coins in previous years. Some countries chose to post-date their coins to 2002, the year they would be issued, while other countries dated the coins the actual year they were struck. In all cases, I believe, these latter countries actually have laws in place preventing the mint from placing a fictitious or incorrect date on the coins.

BCNumismatics

<< <i>Aiden:

Thanks for reminding me about the 2002 date. I remember hearing that before. To clarify - - did those countries issue those coins for actual circulation before 2002, or hold them from 1999 until then?

Thx!

- - Dave >>



Dave,
They had to be stockpiled & ready in time for the change over to the Euro on the 1st. of January 2002.Zimbabwe is another country that struck coins with the actual date,but they were stockpiled as well - the 2003 $10 & $25 coins that were finally issued as part of the so-called 'currency reform' of the 1st. of August 2008.They have since disappeared from circulation,due to the continuing hyperinflation.

Aidan.

DBSTrader2

Thanks for the info!

Shows you how little I have been following the history of the Euro since 2002 - - I didn't have a CLUE that Zimbabwe was even part of the Euro community!!

- - Dave

BCNumismatics

Dave,
Of course Zimbabwe isn't part of the Eurozone.I was referring to Zimbabwe as an example of a country that struck coins & stockpiled them.Poland was also doing a similar thing from 1990 prior to their currency reform of the Zloty in 1995 - the coins were struck in secret & bear the year of striking.

Aidan.

ProofArtworkonCircs

What far flung outposts would be part of the Eurozone?
I imagine France would account for St. Pierre and Miquelon off Newfoundland, North America; French Guianna, South America; Mayotte off Madagascar off Africa; Guadeloupe, Martininique in the Carrbbean Sea; many islans of French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean.

BCNumismatics

Herbert,
Both French Polynesia & New Caledonia still use their own Francs,but there has been talk of those 2 French colonies being allowed to use Euros.

Both Kosovo & Montenegro also use Euros as well.Andorra's former currencies,the French Franc & the Spanish Peseta are both currencies that have been replaced by the Euro,so Andorra is a member of the Eurozone by default.

The Azores & Madeira,which belong to Portugal,also uses Euros,as does the Canary Islands,which belong to Spain.

Aidan.

ProofArtworkonCircs

<<You can find a list of the Euro banknote country codes here.>>
Thank you, I have added 4 new countries to my list of 4 Feb 2002. It has taken me a few days to find it.
This list has 3 letters not on your list. These are reserved for countries that have not issued Euros as yet.

J United Kingdom (printer codes: A Bank of England; H Thomas de la Rue)
K Sweden (printer code: C AB Tumba Bruk)
R Luxembourg

BCNumismatics

Herbert,
I'm not even sure where to find the printers' code letters,as opposed to the country code letters,on the Euro banknotes.

As for the U.K. joining the Eurozone,that's unlikely ever to occur,as the British Government was given an opt-out when the Maastricht Treaty to establish the European Union was signed in 1992.

Aidan.

ProofArtworkonCircs

<<Greece also started in 2002, with many of their coins minted by mints from other nations, and designated as such by mintmarks in one of the reverse stars. "S" were minted in Finland, "F" in France, & "E" in Spain.)>>

That is three countries helping Greece getting started with the coins. Another three countries helped with the notes. By 2002 Euro notes were printed for Greece by the following printers. No 50, 200 or 500 euro notes are in my table.

N - Bank of Greece
F - Austria National Bank (Oesterreichische Nationalbank)
G - John. Enchede Security Printers - Netherlands
P - Giesecke & Devrient - Munich, Germany



edited slightly for clarification

ProofArtworkonCircs

<<I'm not even sure where to find the printers' code letters,as opposed to the country code letters,on the Euro banknotes.>>

Well, they are rather obscure as compared to the serial prefix.

On the 5 Euro note, look on the opposite side from the serial number. Looking left to right about half way up the note , you will see first a blank area on the left followed by a shaded area. Follow the left edge of the shaded area down a little ways and you will see something like "J002C1." The first letter is the printer code. In this case "J" is the Bank of Italy (So it is no surprise that the serial number starts with "S" for Italy.) I assume 002 is the plate number and C1 is the position on the plate (row and column or vice versa).

The 10 Euro note requires a similiar path only this time go 1/2 inch or 15 mm into the shaded area and a little further down and you will find a white outline of a 5 pointed star with a similiar code in it with other letters scattered around with in the star including the word Euro, The note I am looking at is F002B4. F printer is the Austria National Bank. The serial number starts with N which makes it an Austria note.

The 20 Euro is quite similiar to the 10 Euro except the star is a little higher and a little more to the left.

Every denomination has a different placement for the code and some can vary quite a bit from the pattern described above.

Sapyx

<< <i>What far flung outposts would be part of the Eurozone? I imagine France would account for St. Pierre and Miquelon off Newfoundland, North America; French Guianna, South America; Mayotte off Madagascar off Africa; Guadeloupe, Martininique in the Carrbbean Sea; many islans of French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean.

Herbert, Both French Polynesia & New Caledonia still use their own Francs,but there has been talk of those 2 French colonies being allowed to use Euros. >>


European colonialism isn't what it used to be. France, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain are the only Eurozone countries to still own what might be considered "far-flung" overseas territories.

France owns the ones you've just described, as well as a couple of others: the Wallis & Futuna Islands in the Pacific, Reunion in the Indian Ocean, and a few uninhabited (except for scientists) rocks such as the Kerguelen Archipelago in the southern Indian Ocean and Clipperton Island off the coast of Mexico. It seems to me that New Caledonia and French Polynesia (the only two "special status" territories that still have their own separate currencies) are much more likely to secede and become independent, rather than lose their "special status" and adopt the euro.

The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba are the two Dutch territories; they both currently have their own currencies but there are plans to dismember the Netherlands Antilles; Curacao and Dutch St Martin would become autonomous, like Aruba (and presumably gaining new currencies of their own) while the other three islands (Bonaire, Saba and St Eustatius) would revert to overseas municipalities of North Holland province, and use euros. This change was supposed to happen in only a few weeks time, but it has been postponed.

Spain owns the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa, and the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla on the Moroccan coast of the African mainland. They are all considered parts of Spain rather than territories or dependent states, so the euro is used in all of them. Likewise, Portugal owns the Azores Islands in the mid-Atlantic and Madiera Island, just to the north of the Canaries.

Akrotiri and Dhekelia, the two British military base areas on Cyprus, adopted the euro the same time as the Republic of Cyprus did, in 2008 - so far, they're the only British-controlled "territories" to adopt it.

Finally, there are the various Antarctic research stations; six Eurozone nations currently maintain ten permanent or summertime bases in Antarctica, and presumably euros are used there for whatever monetary needs the scientists might have in those bases.

None of these outposts and territories currently issue or have plans to issue their own separate euro coins; they simply use whatever comes their way from other euro countries.

BCNumismatics

Steve,
The so-called 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' also uses the Euro as well,but in addition to the Turkish Lira.Prior to the change over to the Euro,the Cypriot Pound was also accepted in northern Cyprus as payment.

Aidan.

newsman

St. Pierre and Miquelon and the French Caribbean territories, along with French Guiana and Reunion, are considered integral parts of France, so they would use the Euro like all other parts of the country. St. Pierre and Miquelon are the only places in North America where the Euro is the standard currency.

ProofArtworkonCircs

Wikipedia has a comprehensive article on Euro banknotes last updated on 20 Nov. It includes the serial letter codes and printer codes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euro_banknotes#Serial_number

ProofArtworkonCircs

Wikipedia also has an article on Euro coins.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euro_coins

BCNumismatics

Herbert,
It is so easy to post a link.Click on the 'http' chain symbol just above the message text box,then type in the address,then the title.

Here's the link to the Euro coin article; Euro coins.


Aidan.

agentjim007

I have a complete set of the first 12 euro countries I bought here on the BST, but this is my favorite I have in unc. and proof.

farthing

Now that one's stunning!