2 euro coins from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg are rarely found in our wallets – and if you are among the lucky finders, the piece in question is usually a circulation coin. However, almost all issued commemorative coins can be purchased online. As always, you should take your time to compare the offers before making a purchase.
To help you get started, I have compiled some pieces that are likely to appreciate in this article. Always remember to check an offer carefully, especially if the specimen is said to be an error coin. Unfortunately, many coins on offer aren’t “actual” error coins and their prices are way too high. Many sellers on online auction and sales platforms seem to have lost touch with reality: it is not uncommon, for instance, for a minor fried egg error coin to be listed at 27,000 euros while tiny minting coincidences are sold for several hundred euros. Those who accept such offers have lost the appreciation for their own money.
2 Euro Circulation Coins
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is one of the countries that introduced the euro as their sole currency in 2002. The reverse design (RV) meets the requirements set for all euro countries. The obverse design (OBV) has featured the portrait of Grand Duke Henri to the right since 2002. Next to the year you can see the local denomination of the country “Lëtzebuerg”. In front of the year the coin depicts the mark of the mint master or the chief engraver, behind it the mark of the respective mint. At the bottom, you can see an additional mark on the ring. As Luxembourg does not have a national mint, the country commissions several mints to issue its coins.
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 Luxembourg coins feature the inscription “2” followed by two 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 minting error but a mere coincidence. You should not spend money on such coins. By now, completely normal coins from Luxembourg with latent images (for example the joint issues of the eurozone) are offered as rare error coins. Don’t fall for such offers. Please consult a specialist dealer before your purchase.
Mint Error Coins
Coins with minor punching errors on both sides are known of. There are a few off-centre strikes whose edge is not reeded in some places. Such features show you that the specimen is an actual mint error coin. In addition, weak strikes (for example regarding the stars, which look slightly faded) are quite common. However, such specimens aren’t rarities! Coins with severe fried egg errors, on the other hand, are very rare. Pieces with a golden shimmer have usually been manipulated, you should refrain from purchasing them. Better watch out for die cracks and punching errors.
Appraisal
2 euro coins from Luxembourg can rarely be found in circulation. Mint state specimens cost between 6 and 8 euros on the secondary market. Prices for coins with punching errors on both sides start at 20 euros. However, you should never spend more than 30 euros on such a coin. Off-centred issues are more expensive, prices start at 90 euros. Weak strikes are worth between 10 and 20 euros, depending on the extent. Prices for fried egg error coins start at 300 euros.
Joint Issues of the Eurozone
Luxembourg participated in all four joint issues of the eurozone of 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2015. All issues feature an additional latent image of Grand Duke Henri on the obverse. Until now, no error coins have been found. Be careful: frequently, the latent image is described as a minting error – which, of course, isn’t the case! These pieces are hardly ever found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range from 8 to 10 euros. I recommend all collectors to get one specimen of all four joint issues from Luxembourg. The latent image itself is enough to make this piece a numismatic speciality. Moreover, the price of these coins might increase.
Technical Specifications
The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.
The Coat of Arms of Grand Duke Henri, 2010
The obverse depicts the portrait of Grand Duke Henri. To its right you can see Henri’s small coat of arms. He has held the office of Grand Duke of Luxembourg since 2000. Above the coat of arms, you can see the year as well as the mark of the mint master and the mark of the Dutch mint. Below there is the country’s name “Lëtzebuerg”.
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 start at 6 euros.
Royal Wedding, 2012
A 2 euro commemorative coin was released on the occasion of the wedding of Arch Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg and Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy from Belgium. A so-called raster image was used for the obverse. You can see the Grand Duke on the left, the bridal couple to his right. Such raster images are rarely depicted on 2 euro commemorative coins.
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.
Appraisal
These coins can hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range between 5 and 10 euros.
50 Years Voluntary Military Service, 2017
2017 marked the 50th anniversary of the abolition of compulsory military service in Luxembourg. Since 1967, the country has to make do with a volunteer army. The profile view of Grand Duke Henri, the inscription “50 JOER” as well as the year and the country’s name are clearly visible. The coat of arms of the Luxembourg army is depicted in the letter “O” of the word “JOER”.
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. The mintage figure of 300,000 specimens was not particularly large regarding normal issues intended for circulation. Prices are likely to 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 6 and 9 euros.
200th Birthday of Grand Duke William III, 2017
From 1949 to 1890, William III was King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg at the same time. In addition, he was Duke of Limburg from 1849 to 1866. William died on 23 November 1890. On the left, the coin depicts the portrait of Grand Duke Henri, to his right the portrait of Grand Duke William wearing his uniform.
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 8 and 12 euros.
In the online database Cosmos of Collectibles you can find all Luxembourg 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 on coins from Italy, France, Ireland and Estonia.
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”.
