2019 Germany Copper-Nickel 2019 Germany Copper-Nickel Federal Council UNC UNC

This is a commemorative 2 Euro coin, part of Germany's long-running "Federal States" (Bundesländer) series, which began in 2006.

However, for 2019, Germany deviated from depicting a specific federal state. Instead, the coin commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Bundesrat (Federal Council), one of the five permanent constitutional bodies of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Bundesrat represents the sixteen federal states at the national level. This temporary change in the series was due to Schleswig-Holstein, which would have been next in the rotation for the series, having already been featured.

Composition and Features:

Material: Like all 2 Euro coins, it is a bi-metallic coin. The outer ring is made of copper-nickel, while the inner part is made of nickel brass clad nickel.

Weight and Diameter: It weighs 8.5 grams and has a diameter of 25.75 mm.

Quality: "UNC" (Uncirculated) means the coin is in pristine condition, showing no signs of wear from circulation. It might have minor contact marks from the minting process, but it retains its original luster.

Design:

National Side (Obverse): Designed by Michael Otto from Rodenbach, the central design features a highly detailed and finely sculpted rendition of the Bundesrat building in Berlin (the former Prussian House of Lords on Leipziger Straße). The design skillfully uses perspective to draw the viewer into the scene of the building and its surrounding garden. The year "2019" is at the top, and "BUNDESRAT" is inscribed at the bottom, along with the mint mark.

Common Side (Reverse): The common reverse side of all 2 Euro coins, designed by Luc Luycx, depicts a map of Europe (since 2007, showing Europe without national borders), the denomination "2 EURO," and the twelve stars of the European Union.

Mint Marks: The coin was minted by all five German mints, each identifiable by a single letter:

A (Berlin)

D (Munich)

F (Stuttgart)

G (Karlsruhe)

J (Hamburg) Collectors often seek to acquire a complete set of all five mint marks.

Edge Inscription: The edge of the coin is finely reeded and carries the German motto "EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT" (Unity and Justice and Freedom), along with a stylized federal eagle.

Mintage and Collectibility:

The total mintage for circulation of the 2019 "Bundesrat" 2 Euro coin was approximately 30 million pieces, making it widely available. However, "UNC" examples, especially those from specific mints or in original mint rolls, are sought after by collectors.

While the "In the Air" coin mentioned previously is a non-circulating commemorative with a special polymer ring, the "Bundesrat" 2 Euro coin is legal tender throughout the Euro area and circulated widely.