The Principality of Andorra is located in the Pyrenees between Spain and France. The heads of state of Andorra are the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France. On 30 June 2011, Andorra and the EU signed a currency agreement. Therefore, the euro became the official currency of Andorra on 1 April 2012. It was not until 2014 that the country started to have its own euro coins minted by the Spanish mint in Madrid and the French mint in Paris. I will present some 2-euro highlights in this overview. Unfortunately, Andorra decided against issuing mint state 2-euro commemorative coins for circulation. 2-euro commemorative coins are only issued in coin cards or as proof versions.
2-Euro Circulation Coins
Most euro coins that circulate in Andorra are from Spain or France. Only on rare occasions and with a great deal of luck will you be able to find a national coin in circulation. The situation is similar to that of other small states that use the euro as their currency. And if such a specimen does turn up in circulation, it will quickly disappear into the pockets of collectors. 2-euro circulation coins, whose production started in 2014, show the coat of arms of Andorra on the obverse (OBV). The reverse design (RV) meets the requirements set for all euro countries. In 2016, no circulation coins were minted. Nevertheless, 35,000 proof specimens were produced for collectors. Since the principality does not have its own mint, all issued coins are produced in Spain or France, as stated above.
Just like 2-euro commemorative coins, all 2-euro circulation coins consist of a ring made of cupronickel. The core is made of nickel brass with a nickel core (CuNi / Ni, CuNiZn plated). All pieces can slightly be attracted by a magnet at the centre.
Technical Specifications
- Weight: 8.50 g
- Diameter: 25.75 mm
- Reeded edge
- In addition to the reeded edge, all Andorra coins feature the edge inscription “2” followed by two alternately inverted stars.
Particularities
Coloured or gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.
Mint Error Coins
So far, no mint error coins have been found.
Appraisal
These coins can hardly be found in circulation, collectors should look on the secondary market right away. The first 2-euro circulation coins of 2014 can be worth up to 12 euros if they are of great quality. Prices for pieces from the following years start at 4 euros. Take your time to compare the offers before purchasing a specimen. In this way, you are sure to save a little money.
2-Euro Commemorative Coins Only in Coin Cards
So far, all 2-euro commemorative coins of the principality were exclusively issued in special coin cards. Unfortunately, there’s still no possibility for collectors to directly purchase the coins. They have to look for them on the secondary market. This means: if you find such a piece in circulation, it was definitely taken out of a coin card. Here, too, private manipulations (coloured or gilded coins) dominate the collector’s market. Don’t fall for such offers, unfortunately they are not worth what they claim to be.
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2-euro circulation coin.
Joint Issues of the Eurozone
Andorra isn’t part of the European Union (EU), so no joint issues were minted by the principality.
20 Years in the Council of Europe, 2014
Although the piece features the date 2014, these coins were not issued until 2016. Andorra joined the Council of Europe on 10 November 1994. The obverse shows the coat of arms of Andorra on the bottom left, to its right the number “20” referring to the 20th anniversary of Andorra’s membership. In the zero are the twelve stars of Europe. Below the year 2014.
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2-euro circulation coin.
Particularities
Coloured or gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.
Mint Error Coins
So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, keep looking for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.
Appraisal
These coins cannot be found in circulation. On the secondary market, you should opt for pieces that are still in the original coin card. Prices for such cards range from 25 to 50 euros.
30 Years Since 18 Became the Legal Age, 2015
After the first issue for the 20th anniversary of Andorra’s membership to the Council of Europe, in 2015 (issuance 2016) a 2-euro commemorative followed celebrating the 30 year anniversary of lowering the legal age to 18 in 1985. The OBV shows a person at the ballot box casting a vote with the inscription ANDORRA.
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2-euro circulation coin.
Particularities
Coloured or gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.
Mint Error Coins
So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, keep looking for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.
Appraisal
These coins cannot be found in circulation. On the secondary market, you should opt for pieces that are still in the original coin card. Prices for such cards range from 20 to 50 euros.
25 Years Customs Union with the EU, 2015
The import and export of goods between the Principality of Andorra and the EU was already facilitated by a special customs agreement in 1968. In 1990, Andorra and the European Union became a customs union. The OBV shows the shape as well as the coat of arms of Andorra. Below are two arrows running in opposite directions. They symbolise the movement of goods between Andorra and the EU.
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2-euro circulation coin.
Particularities
Coloured or gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.
Mint Error Coins
So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, keep looking for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.
Appraisal
These coins cannot be found in circulation. On the secondary market, you should opt for pieces that are still in the original coin card. Prices for such cards range from 20 to 70 euros.
Unfortunately, the production of 2-euro commemorative coins of mint state quality for circulation purposes was stopped in 2015. There are only proof issues now. This decision is very unfortunate for the collecting world, and many don’t understand why it was taken.
In the online database Cosmos of Collectibles you can find all 2-euro coins of the Principality of Andorra.
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The author numiscontrol already dealt with the rarities among 2-euro commemorative coins of other countries, too. Here you can read his articles on coins from
- Slovenia and
Here he explains if and why euro error coins can be investment objects.
Find out more about our author numiscontrol, alias Reiner Graff, in our Who’s Who.
The collecting expert made it his mission to introduce beginners to the world of coin collecting – here you can read his series “Coin Care in Simple Terms”.
