In this page, we will talk about rare euro coins, but before getting into the specific topic, we start from the beginning.
The year 2002 is the year that marks the entry of euro cents into Europe. The 1 euro is divided into cents and the coins are eight in all: 2 euros, 1 euro, 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents, 2 cents, 1 cent.
Presentation of rare euro cent coins
All euro coins have a map of Europe on the back, while on the right side each coin has a different design depending on the euro zone.
From this, it is easy to imagine that there are a large number of coins in circulation, of the same denomination, with a variety of different designs.
In addition to this peculiarity, there are several rare coins in euro cents. Most of them are coins created for commemorative purposes and issued for collection.
But there are also some copies withdrawn from the market because they are fake coins and therefore very rare, even impossible to find.
Common and rare euro cent coins
Let’s now discover in more detail the euro cents and the particularities of these small coins.
The 1, 2 and 5 cent coins present Europe in relation to Africa and Asia.
The others, mentioned above, show the EU before its extension (May 2004) until the January 2007 minting.
Later minted coins show a map of Europe.
These are just some of the curiosities about euro cents. If you want to know more about collecting European coins, the article on Euro coin collections is for you.
The 1 euro cent coin – Rare coins
Now let’s see the characteristics of the 1 euro cent coin, and see why everyone is looking for the rare coin.
The 1 cent is the smallest euro coin. It weighs 2.30 grams, has a diameter of 16 mm and is made of steel with copper plating. The edges are smooth and the axles are German style.
The 1 cent coin has been in circulation since 2002. Although some of the coins date from 1999, the year the euro was minted.
The common face of all 1 euro cent coins, the reverse, was engraved by Luc Luycx and shows a globe at the bottom right. There are also the 15 members of the EU, the northern half of Africa and the western half of Asia.
6 thin lines cut from behind, diagonally, the globe with 12 stars at the end. At the top left is the number 1 and the inscription EURO CENT. At the bottom right of the globe are the initials of the engraver LL.
The right side of the coin is not unique but varies by country of issue. However, all European countries must include the twelve stars, the engraver’s initials and the year of issue in their coins.
In the Rome mint, on the right side, the coin depicts Castel del Monte, an octagonal building built by Frederick II of Swabia.
Around 12 five-pointed stars representing the European Union, under the monogram of the Italian Republic (superimposed RI), between the mint mark on the left and the initials of the author Eugenio Driutti (superimposed ED). Below the thousandth. The outline is smooth and the axles are German style.
Value of the 1 euro cent coin
The value of the 1 cent coin varies depending on several factors. Did you know that you can find coins worth 1€ but also from 550€?
Let’s see this in detail.
- The 1 euro cent coin, minted in 2004, Greece, Luxembourg, Holland, in FDC conservation status, is only worth 1 €
- 1 euro cent from the Netherlands in 1999, if FdC, is worth approximately €1.20.
- The 1 cent coin of Malta representing the temple of Mnajdra, if FdC is worth 2€.
- 1 euro cent from 2003 of the Republic of San Marino, worth approximately 10€ under FdC conditions.
- The rarest 1 euro cent coins are a minting error. It is a one-sided mint, that is, with an incision only on the back and without the mint year. It is worth 550€ if FdC and you can see an example in the image below.
The wrong one euro cent coin
Among the euro cents, there are a few examples that could be particularly sought after by collectors.
What we are going to describe now is much more well known than the typing error we described earlier.
It is the 1 cent coin which, due to an error in the state mint, shows on the right side the Mole Antonelliana.
In particular, the 1 cent coin shows the image of the 2 centesimi coin, that is, the Mole Antonelliana of Turin.
In reality, the correct piece should represent Castel del Monte In Puglia. Also the diameter is that of the 2 centesimi coin, i.e. 18.75 mm.
Value of the wrong 1 euro cent coin
- The value of the bad 1 euro cent coin is around €2,500 – €3,000. Some copies of the “Bolaffi” auction reached a value of €6,000. Interesting, isn’t it?
- At a Bolaffi numismatic auction on May 23, 2013, the most expensive coin sold for €6,600 with a bidding base of €2,500.
Rare 2 euro cent coins
Now let’s move on to the 2 cent coin. The European coin of 2 centimes corresponds to one fiftieth of a euro and is made of copper-plated steel.
It has a diameter of 18.75 mm, weighs 3 grams and is 1.67 mm thick. The axles are German style and the outline with horizontal thread.
All coins have a common back design and a country-specific straight face. The common face of all the coins was engraved by Luc Luycx and shows a globe at the bottom right.
You can also see the 15 members of the EU, the northern half of Africa and the western half of Asia. Six fine lines cut from behind, diagonally, the globe with 12 stars at the end.
At the top left of the 2 cent coin, there is the number 2 and the word “EURO CENT”. At the bottom right of the globe are the initials of the engraver LL.
In the Mint of Rome, the coin shows on its right side the Mole Antonelliana. The design of the Mole Antonelliana was also accidentally minted on some 1 cent coins, causing a minting error that sent the coin collectors’ quotation to the stars.
Around 12 five-pointed stars representing the European Union, on the left the monogram of the Italian Republic (RI superimposed), on the right the sign of the workshop and the monogram of the author Luciana De Simoni (LDS).
The description of the part is completed by the German axes and the contour with horizontal threads.
2 cent coin worth 2,500 euros
As we have already written before, it is a 2 cent coin with a printed illustration of the 1 cent coin. We call this coin “1 cent with the Mole Antonelliana” or “false 1 euro cent”, because it has the design that the 1 cent coin should have.
However, if you look at the coin from the perspective of its diameter, it is actually a 2 cent coin and therefore you can properly refer to it as “2 rare euro cents” or “2 erroneous euro cents”.
How do you recognize her? The diameter. If you find a penny with a larger diameter than the regular penny, then it is a minting error. So there are various chances that it is just the rare 2 pennies that everyone would like to find.
Value of the rare 2 euro cent coin
The FDC 2 cent coin has a value ranging from 20 cents to 50 cents. There are also examples that are worth much more. Let’s give some examples:
- The value of the 2008 rare Maltese 2 centimes representing the Temple of Mnajdra. Value of 1€ (FdC).
- The value of the rare Vatican 2 cents minted (67,000 coins) between 2002 and 2003 with FDC conservation status amounts to €110 (€55 if BB).
- Without forgetting the 2 cents of 2500€ which, as already mentioned, make this cut particularly interesting.
Now, if you have rare coins like these (but also different rarer coins), you can have fun and make money auctioning them online.
Rare coins of 5 euro cents
The 5 euro cent coin has a value of one twentieth of a euro and is made of copper-coated steel. It has a diameter of 21.25mm, weighs 3.92 grams and is 1.67mm thick. The axes in this case are also German style, and the contour with horizontal thread.
As with the 1 and 2 centimes, the 5 centimes also have a common face and the right side of the coin with a different design depending on the country of the euzone.
On the right, by Luc Luycx, there is the value of the coin on the left, while on the right there is a drawing of the Earth crossed by 6 lines which join 12 stars.
The design of the Earth symbolizes Europe in relation to the world, while the 12 stars recall the European flag.
On the reverse of the coin, at the Rome mint, is engraved the Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheatre. Around it are 12 five-pointed stars representing the European Union. At the top right the monogram of the Italian Republic. At the top slightly to the left the sign of the mint and at the bottom the thousandth.
Under the base of the Colosseum, on the right, the initials of the author Ettore Lorenzo Flappicini (ELF). Eurozone 5 cents have a different design but all bear 12 stars, the engraver’s initials and the year of issue.
Value of the 5 euro cent coin
The least common 5 cent coin has a value ranging from €1 to €15. Some other coins, however, are considered to have a value of $40.
- 5 centimes from the countries Ireland, Portugal, Greece and Spain, minted in 2002 are worth €1 (BU)
- The 5 centimes of Malta 2008 with the design of the temple of Mnajdra, is worth 1 € (Fdc)
- 5 Centimes of the Republic of San Marino, minted in 2003, worth €10 (BU)
- Rare euro cent coins minted by the Rome mint, minted in 2003, are worth €15 (if SPL)
- The rare 5 euro cent coin from the Vatican Mint, minted in 2002, worth €40 (Fdc)
Rare 10 euro cent coins
The 10 euro cent coin is worth one tenth of a euro and is made of an alloy called Nordic gold.
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