Look for These Dutch 2 Euro Commemorative Coins!

2 euro coins from the Kingdom of the Netherlands are often found in Central European purses. Mint state specimens of almost all issued commemorative coins can be purchased online. As always, you should take your time to compare the offers before making a purchase.

In this overview, I compiled some pieces that might increase in value. Please carefully check every coin – especially if the specimen is said to be an error coin. Unfortunately, many of the pieces on offer aren’t “genuine” error coins.

Dutch 2 Euro Circulation Coins

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is one of the countries that introduced the euro as their sole currency in 2002. The reverse design (RV) meets the requirements set for all euro countries. The obverse (OBV) featured Queen Beatrix from 2002-2013, since 2014 it depicts King Willem-Alexander. Circulation coins have been minted since 1999. The motif includes the mark of the Royal Dutch Mint in Utrecht and the mark of the corresponding mint director. The reeded edge bears the inscription “GOD ZIJ MET ONS” (may God be with us), the words are separated by stars.

Just like 2 euro commemorative coins, all 2 euro circulation coins consist of a ring made of cupronickel. The core is made of nickel brass with a nickel core (CuNi / Ni, CuNiZn plated). All pieces can slightly be attracted by a magnet at the centre.

Technical Specifications

• Weight: 8.50 g
• Diameter: 25.75 mm
• Reeded edge
• In addition to the reeded edge, Dutch coins bear the edge inscription “GOD ZIJ MET ONS”, the words are separated by stars.

Particularities

Coloured or even gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency. However, there are some issues that include official coloured coins. Therefore, you should always use a catalogue to identify your coins. Some coins show a larger gap between ring and centre, this is no minting error but a mere coincidence.

Mint Error Coins

So far, numerous major and minor punching errors were found, and they can be visible on both sides of the coin. There are also off-centre strikes whose edge is not reeded in some places. Such features show you that the specimen is an actual mint error coin. In addition, weak strikes (for example regarding the stars, which look slightly faded) are quite common. But these pieces aren’t rarities! Minor fried egg error coins that were minted from 1999 onwards are also known of. Pieces with a golden shimmer have usually been manipulated, and collectors should refrain from buying them. Better look for die cracks and punching errors.

Appraisal

2 euro coins from the Netherlands can often be found in circulation. Mint state specimens can be purchased on the secondary market for 4 to 8 euros. Prices for coins with punching errors on both sides start at 15 euros. However, you should never spend more than 30 euros on such a coin. Off-centred issues are more expensive, prices start at 60 euros. Weak strikes are worth between 10 and 20 euros, depending on the extent. Major fried eggs start at 300 euros.

The Dutch Version of the Joint Issues of the Eurozone

The Netherlands participated in all four joint issues of the eurozone of 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2015. So far, a few mint error coins (punching errors) have been found. You can hardly find these pieces in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range from 6 to 10 euros. The prices of all joint issues may increase in the future. Prices for specimens with minor punching errors start at 20 euros.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.

Desiderius Erasmus, 2011

The obverse depicts the portrait of Queen Beatrix on the left. On the right and a bit larger you can see D Erasmus writing something. Above the year there is the mark of the mint director and the mark of the Dutch mint.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.

Particularities

Coloured or even gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.

Mint Error Coins

So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, keep looking for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.

Appraisal

These coins can hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens start at 10 euros.

Change of Ruler, 2013

When Queen Beatrix abdicated on 30 April 2013, her son Willem-Alexander became King of the Netherlands. The coin image shows both portraits looking to the left. In addition, next to the year 2013 there is the inscription “28. Januari”(28 January). Queen Beatrix officially announced her abdication on that day.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.

Particularities

Coloured or even gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.

Mint Error Coins

So far, no “actual” error coins have been found.

Appraisal

These coins can hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range between 5 and 10 euros.

200th Anniversary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, 2013

This is the first issue with King Willem-Alexander. It features all 7 kings and queens of the Netherlands in the form of a continuous ribbon. The pieces may increase in value.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.

Particularities

Gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency. There are issues with official colour coins, but these specimen are part of a coin set and weren’t intended for circulation.

Mint Error Coins

So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, look for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.

Appraisal

These coins can hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range between 6 and 10 euros.

 

In the online database Cosmos of Collectibles you can find all 2 euro coins of the Netherlands.

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The author numiscontrol already dealt with the rarities among 2 euro commemorative coins of other countries. too. Here you can read his articles on coins from

• Malta
• Luxembourg
• Italy and
• France

And here you can find his series on rare 2 euro pieces from Germany and on the joint EU issues (in German).

Find out more about our author numiscontrol, alias Reiner Graff, in our who’s who.

The collecting expert made it his mission to introduce beginners to the world of coin collecting – here you can read his series “Coin Care in Simple Terms”.