Italian circulation coins find their way into the wallets of citizens of other states in Central Europe quite often. 2 euro commemorative coins from Italy, on the other hand, are even rare in Italy and can usually only be found on the secondary market. Almost all issued coins are available for sale online. As always, you should take your time to compare the offers before making a purchase. In addition, pay special attention to mint error coins. Unfortunately, there is an increasing amount of dubious sellers offering “rare” mint error coins for a lot of money. Many of these coins are self-made manipulations, i.e. a number or a letter was struck on the coin with a centre punch.
2 Euro Circulation Coins
The Italian Republic was one of the countries to introduce the euro as its sole currency in 2002. The reverse design (RV) meets the requirements set for all euro countries. Since 2002, the obverse (OBV) has featured the greatest poet of Italy: Dante Alighieri. Next to the year you can see the country mark “R” and “I” (for Repubblica Italiana). All coins are produced in the Italian mint (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato) in Rome.
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
- All Italian coins feature the inscription “2” followed by alternately inverted stars next to the reeded edge.
Particularities
Coloured or even gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency. Some coins show a larger gap between ring and centre, this is no mint error but a mere coincidence. You should not spend money on that.
Mint Error Coins
No coins with punching errors on both sides are known of. There are off-centre strikes whose edge is not reeded in some places. Such features show you that the specimen actually is a mint error coin. Furthermore, we know of weak strikes (for example regarding the stars). Fried egg error coins are also known of, but they are extremely rare to find.
Appraisal
2 euro coins from Italy can be found in circulation. Mint state specimens cost between 4 and 5 euros on the secondary market. Prices for coins with punching errors on both sides start at 12 euros. However, you should never spend more than 20 euros on such a coin. Off-centred issues are more expensive, prices start at 80 euros. Weak strikes are worth between 10 and 20 euros, depending on the extent. Fried eggs are worth between 200 and 300 euros. Regarding monometal coins (completely silver), I am always very cautious. It’s easy to manipulate such pieces by yourself. As a newcomer in this field, you should rather stick to typical error coins.
Joint Issues of the Eurozone
Italy participated in all four joint issues of the eurozone of 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2015. So far, no mint error coins have been found. These pieces are hardly ever found in circulation. On the secondary market, the prices for mint state specimens range from 8 to 10 euros. Only 1,000,000 specimens of the 2015 issue (30 Years of the EU Flag) were minted for circulation. The price of these coins might increase.
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.
XX Winter Olympics in Turin, 2006
The 2006 Winter Olympics took place in Turin. The OBV features a skier skiing downhill on the right and the Mole Antonelliana, Turin’s landmark, on the left. The additional inscription “Giochi Invernali” translates as “Winter Games”.
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.
Particularities
Coloured or even 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 can hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range between 3.50 and 6 euros.
200th Birthday of Louis Braille, 2009
The coin commemorates the 200th birthday of L. Braille, who invented the Braille writing system in 1825. The OBV features a “reading hand” touching a book. Below the name of the inventor in Braille.
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.
Particularities
Coloured or even 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 can hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range between 5 and 10 euros.
550th Anniversary of the Death of Donatello, 2016
Donatello (Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi) was an Italian engraver and sculptor from Florence. The OBV shows the head of the famous bronze statue of David created by Donatello from the Bargello National Museum in Florence.
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.
Particularities
Coloured or even gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency. For an Italian commemorative coin, the mintage of 1,485,000 mint specimens was not particularly high. The mintage figures also remained low in the following years. The price might still increase.
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 can hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range between 4 and 6 euros.
In the online database Cosmos of Collectibles, you can find all Italian 2 euro coins.
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The author numiscontrol has already dealt with the rarities among 2 euro commemorative coins of other countries. too. Here you can read his articles for the coins from
Particularly valuable are euro coins with “turning stars”, here you find out which pieces are worth several thousand euros.
And here you can find his series on rare 2 euro pieces from Germany and on the joint EU issues (in German).
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”.
