Brussels, 06/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - All of the citizens and residents of the 17 member states of the euro zone can vote on internet to choose the design which will feature on a new €2 coin, the European Commission announced on Monday 6 June. This new coin will be issued by all the member states of the zone at the beginning of 2012 to mark the tenth anniversary of the introduction of euro notes and coins and the arrival of the single currency in the everyday lives of the citizens. The public will be able to choose from five designs, pre-selected by a professional jury following a competition open to the citizens of the euro zone countries.
More than 330 million people in 17 countries of the EU today use the same currency, the euro. Under usual circumstances, each member state of the euro zone issues its own euro coins with a national head side. In early 2012, however, all member states of the euro zone will issue a commemorative €2 coin with a common design to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the circulation of euro notes and coins. On the basis of previous circulation launch campaigns, the member states are expected to strike a total of around 90 million commemorative coins.
The voters will be able to choose from five different designs, pre-selected by a professional jury following a design competition open to the citizens of all the member states of the euro zone. A high-value collectors' set of coins will be awarded to one voter to be drawn at random from everyone who voted for the winning design. The voting begins today and will end on Friday 24 June 2011. The result will be announced on 30 June.
The winner will see his or her design and initials struck on millions of euro coins, which will circulate throughout the euro zone. He or she will receive a high-value collectors' set of coins and will be invited to attend the striking of the first coin on one of the euro zone production mints.
To vote: http://www.eurocoin-competition.eu/ . (O.L./transl.fl)