There are eight euro coins. Each euro coin has one side that is common to all 12 Member States. This design shows variations of the map of Europe. The designs for the European side were selected following a competition organised by the European Commission and were approved by the Ministers of the Member States.
The European side of the coins was designed by Luc Luycx of the Royal Belgian Mint and depicts a map of the European Union against a background of parallel lines linking the 12 stars of the European Union flag.
The 1, 2 and 5 cent coins show Europe’s place in the world and the 10, 20 and 50 cent coins depict Europe as a group of individual nations. A united Europe without frontiers is represented on the EUR 1 and EUR 2 coins. (European Central Bank)