Germany: Thuringia features on the last of the €2 commemorative “Federal States” series

The German Federal Republic’s Ministry of Finance — Munze Deutschland has launched their last €2 commemorative coin which is part of the “Federal States” series and which features the State of Thurnigia. The coin program, which included representation of all 16 German federal states, was first launched in 2006. A commemorative design was given to each federal state that holds the chairmanship of Germany’s Federal Council, which changes every year. With the release of Saxony Anhalt in 2021 and Thuringia this year, the series is now complete. 

The last custodians of Wartburg Castle, the Grand Ducal Dynasty of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and its then-ruler Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst (along with the rest of the German monarchs), abdicated their titles and positions on the 9th November 1918, following the defeat of the German Empire in World War I. In order to preserve the castle and its priceless art treasures, a foundation was established in 1922 when the castle’s entire inventory was divided into items owned personally by the Grand Ducal family, previously acquired before 1921 and those of the Wartburg Castle Foundation. It was these items which was the basis for the Wartburg Castle collection under the protection of the Foundation. With the signing of an amicable agreement on the 26th August 2003 between the Free State of Thuringia and the present head of the House of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, the current collection became the permanent property of the Foundation after the payment of compensation to the descendants of the Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach family. Today, Wartburg Castle is a popular tourist destination and is the most-visited site in Thuringia after Weimar. The castle, the first such structure of its kind in Germany, was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. 

The coins are produced by all five national mints in Germany — Berlin (A), Munich (D), Stuttgart (F), Karlsruhe (G), Hamburg (J), and will include mintmarks denoting these locations shown on the obverse. The design is the work of Olaf Stoy, who depicts the castle from a perspective with which he presents the Wartburg as the primary landmark of Thuringia. The depiction is from the view seen from below, emphasising the castle’s distinct style of architecture and character of the famous structure. Fine details can be found such as the German flag, highlighting the castle’s status as a national symbol, the cross underlines the importance of the Wartburg for its importance and significance to Christianity and the Lutheran religion’s origin. The reverse design is that of a standard €2 coin, found throughout all countries in the euro zone. The face value appears in front of a map of Europe. 

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Maximum Mintage
€2	Bi-metallic	8.5 g	25.7 mm	Brilliant Unc.	30,000
€2	Bi-metallic	8.5 g	25.7 mm	Proof	40,000

Available from the 25th January, the Brilliant Uncirculated and Proof-quality coins are presented in a sealed folder consisting of one example each produced by all five state mints. For more information, please visit the website of Munze Deutschland. 

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