Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 2 Euro 2019, KM# 91, Estonia, 100th Anniversary of the Estonia’s National University of Tartu
  • 2 Euro 2019, KM# 91, Estonia, 100th Anniversary of the Estonia’s National University of Tartu
Description

The University of Tartu is the national university of Estonia. Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia and often considered the intellectual centre of the country. The University of Tartu is the only classical university in the country and also the biggest and most prestigious university in Estonia. It was established by King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden in 1632.

The Estonian University of Tartu was born with the republic. After the end of World War II in December 1918, the German army handed over the University of Tartu to Peeter Põld, representative of the Estonian Government. Estonian became the university’s official language and once preparations were made, it opened its doors to 351 students, including 305 Estonians, on 6 October 1919. The university’s opening assembly took place on 1 December 1919 when negotiations for the Treaty of Tartu had not even begun.

The University of Tartu was previously depicted on Estonian coins. Silver two-krooni coins were issued back in 1930 on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the university’s establishment. The second occasion was in 2002 when silver Proof 10-krooni coins celebrated the 200th anniversary of the university’s reopening.

Obverse

Depicts a motif of the University of Tartu main building dividing country name (left) and year of issue (right), surrounded by the inscriptions in Estonian "National University 100" above and in Latin "University of Tartu 1632" below. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

The University of Tartu main building is one of the finest specimens of neoclassical architecture in Estonia. It was built according to design by the university's architect Johann Wilhelm Krause in 1804-1809. It is included in the European Heritage Label list as "embodiment of the ideas of a university in the Age of Enlightenment".

Engraver: Indrek Ilves

RAHVUSÜLIKOOL
•100•
EESTI 2019
UNIVERSITAS
TARTUENSIS
1632

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

ESTONIA in Estonian upright and inverted

EESTI ○ EESTI ○

2 Euro

100th Anniversary of the Estonia’s National University of Tartu

KM# 91
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Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Cupronickel
Center Nickel Brass
Weight 8.5 g
Diameter 25.75 mm
Thickness 2.2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Lithuanian Mint (LMK)

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