Germany 2 Euros - St. Michaeliskirche

St Michael's church is one of Hamburg's five main Protestant churches (Hauptkirchen) and the most famous church in the city. It is dedicated to the archangel Michael and a large bronze statue, standing above the portal of the church shows the archangel conquering the devil.

Description

The inner part of the coin shows St. Michaelis Church in Hamburg. The name of the federal State HAMBURG is inscribed beneath the image of the church. To the right of the church are the engraver's stylised initials OE and above it towards the centre the mint mark  ('A', 'D', 'F', 'G' or 'J'). The outer ring has the year mark inscribed at the top, six stars on each side and below them the words BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND.

Issued on 1 February 2008.

German Bundesländer Series

Germany started the commemorative coin series Die 16 Bundesländer der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (The 16 States of the Federal Republic of Germany) in 2006, which will continue until 2021. The year in which the coin for a specific state is issued coincides with that state's Presidency of the Bundesrat.

This is from the type of commemorative coins that was issued by a single country. As a rule, euro countries may each issue only one €2 commemorative coin per year. Exceptionally, they are allowed to issue another, provided that it is a joint issuance and commemorates events of European-wide importance.

Composition

BiAlloy (Nk/Ng), ring Cupronickel (75% copper - 25% nickel clad on nickel core), center Nickel brass (75% copper - 20% zinc - 5% nickel)

Edge

EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT
Unity and Justice and Freedom

It is Germany's national motto and the beginning of Germany's national anthem, followed by the Federal Eagle.

Designer

Erich Ott

Mintage

2008 "D" - Munich
30,000,000 pieces (another source gave 8,900,000)