Blog series: Couples' Stories part 1.
by Françoise from association Les Amis de l’Euro.
More than 10% of the total 2 EUR coins feature two characters. This is an excellent reason to investigate the subject. Who are these couples? I won't go over all the coins with this type of design; it would be endless. So, I have made a selection, and I stand by it. This blog series is divided into four parts:
Colleagues
Dynastic Connections
Art
Two Truly Special Cases
Part 1. Colleagues
Several coins depict two individuals we can call colleagues — colleagues in work or from much farther back: the concept is broad, and we will stretch it as far as possible.
Nurses
The first coin (Image 1.), in my opinion, is one of the most moving. Minted during the pandemic in 2021, it illustrates the solidarity but also the exhaustion and courage of two Maltese nurses, Doreen Zammit and Charmaine Cauchi, in medical attire. The coin was designed based on a photo taken at Mater Dei Hospital in Msida, Malta.
Image 1. “Heroes of the Pandemic”, 2 Euro 2021, Malta. Coiniverse
There have been other coins depicting healthcare professionals during the pandemic, in pairs, like the one minted by Italy in 2021 (Image 2.).
And, unrelated to the pandemic but still in the medical field, there was a Belgian coin minted in 2011, which represents Isala van Dienst, the first Belgian female doctor, and Maria Popelin, the first Belgian female lawyer (Image 3.).
Image 3. “100th Anniversary of the International Women's Day”, 2 Euro 2011, Belgium. NumisCorner.com
Why present it here? Because this coin (doctor-lawyer duo) allows me to make a connection with the second type of couple.
Judges
Anti-mafia judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino can also be considered colleagues. They are featured on the Italian 2 EUR coin from 2022 (Image 4.), minted on the 30th anniversary of their assassination, a few months apart, by the Sicilian Mafia.
Image 4. “30th Anniversary of Death of Judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino”, 2 Euro 2022, Italy. Coiniverse
We maintain the same philosophy as the previous coin: this Italian coin, like the Maltese coin, represents heroes. Note that Italy, more or less along the same lines, had already issued a coin in 2014 to mark the 200th anniversary of the creation of their army, the Carabinieri (Image 5.) - because it is indeed an army. The esprit de corps, determination, and courage in the face of adversity are beautifully portrayed through the parallel position of the two Carabinieri.
Image 5. “200th Anniversary of the Carabinieri”, 2 Euro 2014, Italy. NumisCorner.com
Politicians
Let's push the concept of collegiality a bit further: Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer, both at the helm of their respective countries, can also be considered colleagues. The coin below is French (as seen by the "RF" abbreviation below the chancellor's signature), but the same coin was minted by Germany in the same year, 2013 (Image 6.).
This joint issuance by France and Germany aimed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Élysée Treaty, which strengthened collaboration between France and Germany in the fields of international relations, defense, and education. We can also note that the coin's legend provides a scrupulous balance between French and German elements. Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer are depicted at their respective country's position on a map of Europe, looking towards the centre, further signifying the alignment of views between the two politicians.
Ancient Gods
Finally, let's go even further and consider that ancient gods can be seen as colleagues insofar as they work together in the pantheon. Mercury (the god of commerce, holding a caduceus) and Fortuna (the goddess of luck and prosperity, holding a cornucopia) are depicted on the Austrian 2 EUR coin from 2016 (Image 7.), celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Austrian National Bank (Oesterreichische Nationalbank). This is a detail from the bank's pediment located in Vienna, represented on the coin, with an image of the building in the background. It can be observed that, while Fortuna is modestly dressed, Mercury's attire leaves one wondering about the concept of decency in the ancient Roman pantheon.
Image 7. “200th Anniversary of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank” 2 Euro 2016, Austria. NumisCorner.com
This bank was established in 1816 under the Habsburgs, primarily driven by Metternich, with the goal of uniting under a single currency the diverse peoples that composed the Austro-Hungarian Empire, peoples who didn't have many other commonalities, to say the least: there were Italians, Romanians, Slovenes, Ukrainians, Czechs, Croats, Poles, and many others. Uniting diverse peoples with a single currency... The introduction of the euro in 2002 reflects a similar hope.
Written by Les Amis de l’Euro.
The article is provided by Les Amis de l’Euro. The French association established in 2003, has 1,300 members across Europe (among others) and a team of volunteer specialists dedicated to serving Euro collectors.
The Association has defined four objectives:
Information: Collecting as much information as possible about euro coins and banknotes and making it available on their website.
Engagement: Creating and maintaining connections among members, answering their questions, and managing a discussion forum.
Collection Management: Regularly updating an online catalogue, facilitating bulk orders for members to secure euros at favourable rates, and regularly issuing numismatic items featuring the association's insignia.
Representation: Thanks to the number and expertise of its members, the association represents collectors to the European Central Bank, the European Commission, and the press, among others. The association also participates in major French and international trade shows.
