Obverse. Photo © HISTORIA-HAMBURG.de
  • 2 Euro 2014, KM# 463, Vatican City, Pope Francis, 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
  • 2 Euro 2014, KM# 463, Vatican City, Pope Francis, 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
  • 2 Euro 2014, KM# 463, Vatican City, Pope Francis, 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, Folder
Description

The Berlin Wall was a barrier that divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989. Constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany), starting on 13 August 1961, the Wall completely cut off (by land) West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin until government officials opened it in November 1989. Its demolition officially began on 13 June 1990 and was completed in 1992. The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, which circumscribed a wide area (later known as the "death strip") that contained anti-vehicle trenches, "fakir beds" and other defenses.

The Berlin Wall was officially referred to as the "Anti-Fascist Protective Wall" by GDR authorities, implying that the NATO countries and West Germany in particular were considered equal to "fascists" by GDR propaganda. The West Berlin city government sometimes referred to it as the "Wall of Shame"—a term coined by mayor Willy Brandt—while condemning the Wall's restriction on freedom of movement.

Obverse

Depicts some bricks of the partially collapsed Berlin Wall in the foreground, with the wording "XXV ANNIVERSARY OF THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL 1989 2014" written within the bricks. An olive branch can be seen in the centre, in a gap between the bricks and a piece of barbed wire, and the Brandenburg Gate appears in the background. At the top, the words "VATICAN CITY" are inscribed. The coin's outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Artist: Gabriella Titotto
Engraver: Claudia Momoni (C.M.Inc)

CITTA' DEL VATICANO
XXV ANNIVERSARIO DEL CROLLO DEL MURO DI BERLINO
1989 2014
R
C.M.Inc
G.TITOTTO

Reverse

A geographical map of Western Europe spans the outer ring and inner core on the right side of the coin. The inscription 2 EURO is superimposed over the map of Europe, with the numeral “2” located in an open field representing the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

12 stars are located on the right side of the outer ring, with six stars atop the map of Europe and six stars below it; six vertical stripes cut across the inner core of the coin, visually connecting the upper and lower star segments.

Luc Luycx, a designer at the Royal Belgian Mint, designed the Euro’s common reverse; his initials, LL, are seen on the right side of the design, just under the “O” in “EURO.”

2 EURO
LL

Edge

The sequence "2 ★" repeated six times alternately upright and inverted

2 ★ 2 ★ 2 ★ 2 ★ 2 ★ 2 ★

2 Euro

25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

KM# 463 Schön# 456
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Cupronickel
Center Nickel Brass
Weight 8.5 g
Diameter 25.75 mm
Thickness 2.25 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute (IPZS)

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