Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru
  • 2 Euro 2023, KM# 143, Croatia, Croatia's Adoption of the Euro as Official Currency
  • 2 Euro 2023, KM# 143, Croatia, Croatia's Adoption of the Euro as Official Currency
  • 2 Euro 2023, KM# 143, Croatia, Croatia's Adoption of the Euro as Official Currency, Coincard - front
  • 2 Euro 2023, KM# 143, Croatia, Croatia's Adoption of the Euro as Official Currency, Coincard - back
Description

On January 1, 2023, Croatia embraced the Euro as its currency, replacing the Croatian kuna that had been in use since 1994. Croatia became an official member of the European Union in July 2013 and committed to adopting the euro once it fulfilled the necessary criteria for EU membership. Anticipated to fulfill all prerequisites, Croatia is set to become the 20th member of the eurozone in early 2023.

Croatia released a commemorative 2 euro coin in September, commemorating the commencement of the euro in Croatia.

Obverse

Depicts the inscriptions of the issuing country (Croatia) and the year of issuance, depicted horizontally, as well as the words ‘Member of the euro area’, which are inscribed along the outer edge of the coin’s core. These inscriptions symbolically form a stylised symbol of the euro ‘€’. The other central motive of the coin is Croatia's distinctive and recognisable symbol, the Croatian checkerboard, which represents part of the coat of arms of the Republic of Croatia.

The outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

ČLANICA EUROPODRUČJA
HRVATSKA
2023.

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

Depicts a quote from the Hymn to Freedom by Ivan Gundulić from Dubrovnik (1628): Oh beautiful, oh dear, oh sweet freedom

O LIJEPA O DRAGA O SLATKA SLOBODO

2 Euro

Croatia's Adoption of the Euro as Official Currency

KM# 143
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
Croatian Monetary Institute (HNZ)

Related coins

Bi-Metallic, 8.5 g, ⌀ 25.75 mm
500th Anniversary of Death of Marko Marulić

Nickel Brass, 8.5 g, ⌀ 25.75 mm
Stari Grad Varaždin

Nickel Brass, 8.5 g, ⌀ 25.75 mm