The Croatian National Bank released on 15 September 2023 into circulation the first commemorative 2-euro coin to commemorate the introduction of the euro as the monetary unit of Croatia on 1 January 2023.
Date of release into circulation: 15 September 2023
Technical specification: The commemorative 2-euro coin is minted according to the technical specifications for the 2-euro circulation coin in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) No 729/2014 of 24 June 2014 on denominations and technical specifications of euro coins intended for circulation.
Description of the national side of the commemorative coin: The coin’s core features the inscriptions of the issuing country "HRVATSKA" (Croatia) and the year of issuance "2023.", depicted horizontally, as well as the words "ČLANICA EUROPODRUČJA" (member of the euro area), which are inscribed along the outer edge of the coin’s core. These inscriptions symbolically form a stylised symbol of the euro "€". The other central motive of the commemorative coin is Croatia's distinctive and recognisable symbol, the Croatian checkerboard, which represents part of the coat of arms of the Republic of Croatia laid down in the Act on the Coat of Arms, Flag and Anthem of the Republic of Croatia and on the Flag and the Sash of the President of the Republic of Croatia (Official Gazette 55/1990, 26/1993 and 29/1994).
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
The edge lettering of the coin features the text “O LIJEPA O DRAGA O SLATKA SLOBODO” (Oh beautiful, oh dear, oh sweet freedom) from the Hymn to Freedom, which is an integral part of the pastoral play “Dubravka” by the 17th century Croatian writer Ivan Gundulić.
Subject of commemoration: The introduction of the euro as the monetary unit of the Republic of Croatia on 1 January 2023, an important financial, economic, social and political event for the Republic of Croatia
The design of the national side of the commemorative coin: the sculptor Nikola Vudrag
Number of coins issued: 250,000
The design and the features of the commemorative 2-euro coin are laid down in the Decision on the issuance of circulation euro coins with the national side of the Republic of Croatia and the issuance of the commemorative euro coin to commemorate the introduction of the euro as the monetary unit of Croatia.