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In 2022, the countries of the EU Economic and Monetary Union are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Erasmus Programme with the issue of a special 2 euro Erasmus coin. The coin is the crowning glory of this Official Austrian Euro Coin Set 2022, which consists of eight Special Uncirculated quality coins with values from 1 cent to 2 euros.

Renaissance cosmopolitan

Who exactly was the Erasmus after whom the EU student exchange programme was named? Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam, who died in Basel almost half a millennium ago, is still considered an important humanist, philologist, church reformer and pioneering spirit of the Enlightenment. He was a Renaissance cosmopolitan who worked in many European countries. In 1509, he wrote his most famous work, In Praise of Folly. One of the most important and popular publications of the Renaissance, this satire looks at the many faces of human ignorance.

Approved by the European Council of Ministers in 1987, the Erasmus Programme combats ignorance by promoting cultural, social, and academic exchanges between European students. The Erasmus+ programme 2021–2027 places a strong focus on social inclusion, digital change, combating climate change and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life.

The Euro Coin Set

Featuring native flowers, iconic buildings and illustrious Austrians, this coin set is ideal as a gift, a lasting memento or a fitting souvenir of Austria. All Special Uncirculated quality coins are designed to meet the most exacting standards. As a ‘first strike’ – an early strike in a series struck from a new die – immediately after minting, each coin is quality checked and packed with care to ensure that every single one is an unblemished masterpiece. 

2 Euro

In front of a network symbolising intellectual and cultural exchange between students from different nations, the largest coin features a representation of the famous portrait of Erasmus of Rotterdam painted by Hans Holbein the Younger in 1523.

1 Euro

Born in Salzburg, Austria’s most famous composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, will forever be remembered for his dominance of Viennese classical music during his short life.

50 Cent

The jewel in the Viennese Modernist crown, the Secession exhibition hall still exudes modernity more than a century after it was built.

20 Cent

A masterpiece of Baroque architecture, the Belvedere was once the palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy. Today it is home to some of the world’s most famous paintings, including The Kiss by Gustav Klimt.

10 Cent

 Construction began on Vienna’s gothic St Stephen's cathedral over 800 years ago. Its roof and tower, which feature on the 10 cent coin, still dominate the Vienna skyline today.

5 Cent

The three smallest coins in the collection are all decorated with alpine flowers. The 5 cent piece with primula auricula, the mountain cowslip.

2 Cent

Made world famous by the song from the musical The Sound of Music, the edelweiss adorns the 2 cent coin.

1 Cent

The smallest coin in circulation rounds of the coin set’s trio of alpine flower with a gentian.