Popular Rarities: Estonia’s 2 Euro Commemorative Coins

 

The Republic of Estonia has been a member of the European single currency euro since 2011. However, Estonian coins are hardly ever found in circulation in German-speaking countries. Therefore, a look at the secondary market might be worthwhile in order to acquire these collectibles at a reasonable price. Estonia has been issuing 2 euro commemorative coins since 2012. In this article, I want to introduce you to some 2 euro coins that are interesting or could become interesting for collectors in the future.

2 Euro Circulation Coins

Estonia has been minting euro coins since 2011. The reverse design (RV) meets the requirements set for all euro countries. The obverse (OBV) is characterised by the geographical depiction of Estonia and the name of the country “EESTI”. Although coin sets were issued in 2016, no circulation coins were minted that year. All coins are produced by the Mint of Finland.

Just like the 2 euro commemorative coins, all 2 euro circulation coins consist of a ring made of cupronickel and a core 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
• All Estonian coins feature the inscription “EESTI O” alternately inverted next to the reeded edge.

Particularities

Coloured or even gilded pieces aren’t official issues. They have been doctored and thus 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 are quite rare in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens start at 3.50 euros.

Joint Issues of the Eurozone

Estonia has issued both common issues of the eurozone of 2012 and 2015. These pieces can only rarely be found in circulation. On the secondary market, the prices for mint state specimens range from 4 to 10 euros.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications are the same as those of a 2 euro circulation coin.

100th Birthday of Paul Keres , 2016

Paul Keres lived from 1916-1975 and was a chess master from Estonia. Although he never got the title of a world champion, he is considered one of the most skilled chess players of the 20th century. The OBV features a portrait of P. Keres and two squares representing a chess board as well as some chess pieces.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications are the same as those of a 2 euro circulation coin.

Particularities

Coloured or even gilded pieces aren’t official issues. They have been doctored and thus 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

You can hardly find these coins in circulation. Mint state pieces can be purchased on the secondary market, prices start at 5 euros.

100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Republic of Estonia, 2018

The OBV depicts the official logo of the celebrations of the anniversary in 2018. The logo is designed to show both the number “18” and the number “100”.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications are the same as those of a 2 euro circulation coin.

Particularities

Coloured or even gilded pieces aren’t official issues. They have been doctored and thus lost their former value as currency. This 2 euro commemorative coin has a mintage of 1,317,800 pieces. The figure represents the number of Estonia’s inhabitants as of 1 January 2017.

Mint Error Coins

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

Appraisal

These coins can hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state coins start at 4 euros.

200th Anniversary of the Discovery of Antarctica, 2020

This commemorative coin was minted in 2020 in honour of Fabian Gottlieb Bellinghausen (1758-1852), a Baltic-German navigator. F. G. Bellinghausen was one of the first to sight Antarctica during an expedition. The OBV features a ship of the expedition, the “Vostok”.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications are the same as those of a 2 euro circulation coin.

Particularities

Coloured or even gilded pieces aren’t official issues. They have been doctored and thus lost their former value as currency. This coin is among the most popular issues of Estonia. Especially collectors of maritime motifs have already got their hands on this piece. At the moment, the coin is still available for little money on the secondary market.

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

You can hardly find these coins in circulation. Mint state pieces can be purchased on the secondary market, prices start at 3.50 euros.

100 Years Tartu Peace Treaty, 2020

With the peace treaties of the Estonian city of Tartu (Tartu rahu in Estonian) of 2 February 1920, Soviet Russia made peace with Finland and recognized the independence of Estonia. The OBV features a stylized tree with the words “TARTU RAHU”.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications are the same as those of a 2 euro circulation coin.

Particularities

Coloured or even gilded pieces aren’t official issues. They have been doctored and thus 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

You can hardly find these coins in circulation. Mint state pieces can be purchased on the secondary market, prices start at 4 euros.

 

You will find all 2 euro coins from Estland at Cosmos of Collectibles.

There are all commemorative coins from Estland, too.

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Numiscontrol has dealt with the topic of “turning stars” on euro coins too! Read his article: Finding Treasures in Your Change: The “Turning” Stars.

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