Euro Coins Genesis exhibition in Cyprus

The Euro Coins Genesis exhibition tells the story of the competition to design the euro coins introduced in 2002. It also shows the designs for the European and national images on the euro coins that reached the final stage of the competition organised in 1997-98, including those which were not chosen.

The design of the national sides differs widely among countries but usually depicts the reigning monarch where there is one, national symbols, architectural sites or historic personalities. Each country decided on its own selection procedure for the national side, provided it included the twelve stars symbolizing the Union as well as the date of minting.

The designs on display at the exhibition have been provided by the national mints or government departments involved in the national selection process of the 12 countries of the euro area. It also includes the recently chosen national sides of Estonia, Lithuania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia.

The Euro Coins Genesis exhibition in Nicosia is organised by the European Commission, represented at the opening ceremony by Mr. Marco Buti, Deputy Director-General of Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs. The inauguration of the exhibition will be held on Wednesday at the Central Bank of Cyprus, at 18:00 and will run until December 8, 2006.