Within a hexagon surrounded by the motto (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity), the tree (symbolising life, continuity and growth) signed by the engraver Joaquin Jimenez puts out its roots and branches, sheltering the initials of the French Republic (RF), towards the 12 stars of the European Union on the ring, which also depicts, within intersecting lines, the mint marks of the Paris Mint and mint master at the top and the year at the bottom.

Mint mark of the Paris Mint (Monnaie de Paris in Pessac): Cornucopia

The directors of the Paris Mint use the following mint master's marks:
1999–2000: Bee (Pierre Rodier)
2001–2002: Horseshoe (Gérard Buquoy)
2003: Heart (Serge Levet)
2004–2010: Hunting horn (Hubert Larivière)

A geographical map of Western Europe spans the outer ring and inner core on the right side of the coin. The inscription 1 EURO is superimposed over the map of Europe, with the numeral “1” 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.”