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:

1. Colleagues

2. Dynastic Connections

3. Art

4. Two Truly Special Cases

Part 2. Dynastic Connections 

There are five monarchies in the eurozone: Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg, Monaco, and the Netherlands. And when it comes to couples, there are two main relationships that are represented in the images of royal figures: the "husband and wife" relationship and the "father and son" relationship with all its variations, which are primarily found in a context of succession. 

The “husband and wife” relationship 

This is a very classic case: depicting the sovereign and his wife on coins—since, for the moment, the 'sovereign and her husband' pattern does not exist. For example, there is a coin that depicts Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco on the occasion of their wedding in 2011, and the same couple in 2021, celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary. 

We also find Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg on the commemorative 2 EUR coin from 2015, which celebrates the 15th anniversary of the grand duke's accession to the throne. 

The "father and son" relationship and its variations 

In comparison to euro coins depicting a "husband and wife" couple, euro coins representing a "father and son" pair are much more interesting to study. This is because they reveal the communication strategy of their issuing country regarding succession. 

We will start with the most straightforward communication and then move towards the more subtle. I want to clarify: the focus here is on studying communication about succession through euro coins. The political and family event known as "succession" and how it unfolds would obviously go beyond the scope of this article. 

The minimal communication: two 2 EUR coins. 

This is the case in Belgium. King Albert II had reigned until 2013, the year in which he abdicated in favour of his son, Prince Philippe, who became king. On the Belgian 2 EUR coins, this is illustrated as follows: we transition from King Albert II, depicted below on the regular coins, to King Philippe, also shown below, still on the regular coins. 

Without transition. 

Without a couple image: no Belgian euro coins depict both sovereigns on the same 2 EUR coin. It is this absence that gives a very abrupt aspect to the communication about succession. 

The communication a bit more explicit: three 2 EUR coins. 

Spain 2014: King Felipe VI succeeds his father, King Juan Carlos I.  

Spain therefore transitions from the common 2 EUR coin featuring Juan Carlos, below, since the introduction of the single currency in 2002, to the common 2 EUR coin featuring Felipe VI, below, starting in 2015. 

However, unlike Belgium, Spain wanted to make it known that the succession was taking place in continuity. In 2014, they minted the commemorative 2 EUR coin below, representing both sovereigns. 

On this coin, the new king clearly takes precedence. The profile of the former king is not only in the background of the image but also appears less clearly defined. Presenting a father-son duo in this case is a way of reassuring: there is a consensus between father and son, in short, everything is going well. Any ambiguity regarding the succession is avoided by the presence of both figures. 

The most explicit communication: four 2 EUR coins. 

In 2013, the Dutch royal family found themselves in the same situation as the Belgian and Spanish royal families: that year, Queen Beatrix decided to abdicate in favour of her son, Prince and then King Willem-Alexander. 

And here, the Netherlands demonstrated a real educational sense. The 2 EUR coins almost serve as a manual for the change of reign. 

Initial situation: Queen Beatrix on the common 2 EUR coins since 2002, below. 

Announcement of abdication: In 2013, when Queen Beatrix announced her decision to step down from the throne in favour of her son, the Netherlands minted this commemorative 2 EUR coin. It's a mother-son duo, where the queen takes precedence, and her son, Prince Willem-Alexander, is in the background. 

Act of the change of reign: In the same year, King Willem-Alexander ascends the throne. The Netherlands then mint, in 2014, the commemorative 2 EUR coin below, representing the same Beatrix-Willem-Alexander duo, but this time with King Willem-Alexander taking precedence: the background is now occupied by his mother. 

Final step: King Willem-Alexander stands on his own and appears from 2014 on the regular euro coins, below the 2 EUR coin. 

The two 2 EUR coins representing the mother-son couple ensure a smooth and serene transition between the two monarchs. 

To make things clear from the start: anticipation 

In Monaco and Luxembourg, during the introduction of the single currency, the reigning sovereigns were Prince Rainier III and Grand Duke Henri, respectively, and there was no discussion about a possible change of reign. 

However, both countries had already anticipated this change by minting "father-son" type coins. In Monaco, this was done in the first series of common coins, in 2002: the 1 EUR coin features the reigning prince, Rainier III, in the foreground, with his profile overlapping that of his son, the hereditary prince Albert. 

The euro coins thus announced from the introduction of the single currency that, upon the death of Prince Rainier III, his son would succeed him, which happened in 2005. It's noteworthy that the couple is represented on a common coin and is not depicted on any commemorative coin. 

In Luxembourg, it's the opposite: the "father-son" pair does not appear on any common euro coin. However, in 2006, the country minted the 2 EUR commemorative coin below, representing Grand Duke Henri and the heir Grand Duke Guillaume, an officially minted coin to celebrate the latter's 25th anniversary. 

In conclusion, even though, in all monarchies, the name of the successor to the reigning monarch is known practically from birth, each country has opted for a different way of communicating on the subject through its euro coins: five monarchies, five strategies. 

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:

1. Information: Collecting as much information as possible about euro coins and banknotes and making it available on their website.

2. Engagement: Creating and maintaining connections among members, answering their questions, and managing a discussion forum.

3. 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.

4. 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.