Let’s be honest: do you know where the little country San Marino is located? Just like Vatican City, it’s surrounded by Italy. It has an area of 60.6 km², is located southwest of Rimini and is the world’s oldest republic. Since 2002 there have been euro coins from San Marino, but they are produced by the mint in Rome. Moreover, the Republic of San Marino has been issuing 2-euro commemorative coins since 2004. Unfortunately, hardly any circulation or commemorative coins from San Marino make it to other countries. Interested collectors should look for them on the secondary market right away. Even 2-euro circulation coins are in great demand and hard to find even in the Republic itself. An interesting detail is that San Marino changed the motif of its circulation coins in 2017. Unfortunately, the 2-euro commemorative coins issued so far were not intended for circulation.
2-Euro Circulation Coins
Neither 2-euro circulation coins nor other circulation coins from San Marino can be found in circulation in the euro countries of northern Europe. The number of circulating pieces is simply too small, as mintage figures are rather low. Therefore, 2-euro circulation coins fetch quite high prices on the secondary market. However, buyers always get mint state specimens for their money. From 2002 until 2016 the obverse featured the palace of the government (Palazzo Pubblico). From 2017 on, all circulation coins were given a new motif. They now feature Saint Marinus of Dalmatia holding a model of Monte Titano in his hands. 2-euro circulation coins are not produced every year. In 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015 as well as 2018, 2-euro coins were only issued for collector sets. As always, a coin catalogue helps with a detailed overview.
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 coins from San Marino feature the inscription “2” followed by alternately inverted stars.
Particularities
Coloured or gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency. Don’t purchase so-called “patterns” – no patterns were ever issued. Moreover, San Marino did not issue starter kits when the euro was introduced. Pieces with coloured stickers were also made by fraudsters to fool collectors.
Mint Error Coins
So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, look for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.
Appraisal
These coins can hardly be found in circulation, collectors should look on the secondary market. Depending on the year, prices for mint state specimens range from 5 to 20 euros.
Joint Issues of the Eurozone
The Republic of San Marino is not part of the European Union (EU), therefore it did not release joint issues.
100th Anniversary of the Erection of the Memorial for Bartolomeo Borghesi, 2004
The obverse features a portrait of Bartolomeo Borghesi. The portrait was created on the basis of a bronze bust by Giuseppe Romagnoli. B. Borghesi is considered an important historian and numismatist who lived in San Marino from 1821 until his death in 1860. The “R” on the left refers to the mint in Rome. To the right is the name of the country, on the bottom left the artist’s signature.
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. Almost all 2-euro commemorative coins from San Marino were exclusively issued in a folder. If coins are offered without folder, pay attention to their quality.
Mint Error Coins
So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, look for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.
Appraisal
These coins cannot be found in circulation. Prices for mint state in folders specimens range from 75 to 125 euros on the secondary market.
500th Anniversary of the Death of Christopher Columbus, 2006
The navigator Christopher Columbus, who was in the service of the Spanish crown, actually wanted to find a sea route to India when he arrived with his ships in America in 1492. To this day, Columbus is considered the discoverer of the New World. The motif shows Columbus and his three caravels. Below are the dates 1506–2006. The mint mark of the mint in Rome can be seen to the right of the brim of Columbus’ hat, below the year 2006 are the artist’s initials “LDS”.
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. Almost all 2-euro commemorative coins from San Marino were exclusively issued in a folder. If coins are offered without folder, pay attention to their quality.
Mint Error Coins
So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, look for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.
Appraisal
These coins cannot be found in circulation. These pieces, too, have become quite expensive. The prices for mint state specimens without the original folder start at 75 euros on the secondary market. Prices for coins in the original folder start at 90 euros.
It is a pity that the Republic of San Marino does not issue mint state 2-euro commemorative coins for circulation. Those who want to collect coins from San Marino have to make do with circulation coins and pay quite a lot for them.
In the online database Cosmos of Collectibles you can find all 2-euro coins from San Marino.
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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
- Spain and
Here you can find his series on rare 2-euro pieces from Germany and on the joint EU issues (in German). 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”.
