In this page we are talking about the Luxembourg Euro coins, their value, their rarity and all the characteristics of these particular Luxembourgish coins that are part of the euro coins collection.
From the Franc to the Euro
The history of Luxembourg numismatics is very particular and specifically goes through several passages before reaching what it is today.
In particular, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has been an independent state since 1839 and has therefore adopted its own currency over time.
At first, this was the Belgian Franc, which was commonly found on Luxembourg territory.
From 1848, however, Luxembourg decided to have its own unique currency. This was the Luxembourg franc.
In 1921 this was compared to the Belgian one with an exchange ratio of 1:1. In this way both currencies could circulate freely in the two countries.
The Luxembourg franc continued to circulate and was valid in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg until 2002.
From this year it was replaced, following the agreements between the European states, by the single currency: the Euro.
From 2002 onwards, the euro became the official currency and, gradually, replaced the Luxembourg franc in a definitive manner.
It is important to underline a curious fact. Luxembourg does not have a State Mint, unlike all the other EU Member States.
For this reason, the minting of the Luxembourg Euro is delegated to other European mints, which then ensure that the various coins arrive in the State of ownership.
Having made this brief introduction on the history of numismatics in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, we can move on to the analysis of the different euro coins of this State.
1 Cent Luxembourg Euro Coins
Let’s start with the very first coin: 1 cent Luxembourg Euro coins. Specifically, this coin was made by Yvette Gastauer-Claire.
On the obverse, this coin depicts the Grand Duke Henri, sovereign of Luxembourg, looking to the right. Interestingly, the Grand Duke’s collar is engraved with the author’s initials.
At the bottom there is the inscription LËTZEBUERG or Luxembourg followed immediately by the thousandth of minting. It is important to underline that the thousandth of minting is accompanied by the mint symbol which, as mentioned at the beginning, may vary because Luxembourg does not have its own State Mint but delegates the minting to other European mints.
All around are the 12 5-pointed stars representing the European Union.
On the reverse side, the coin has the same facade as the other European 1 eurocent coins.
But let us now turn to the technical specifications.
Technical specifications of the 1 Cent Euro Coin from Luxembourg
- Materials: The material of this coin is steel plated with copper. Specifically, steel is present for 94.35% and copper for 5.65%.
- Thickness: The thickness is 1.67 mm
- Weight: The weight is 2.30 g
- Diameter: The diameter is 16.25 mm
- Outline: The contour is completely smooth
- Engraver: Yvette Gastauer-Claire
Value and Circulation of 1 Cent Luxembourg Euro Coins
2 Cents Luxembourg Euro Coins
Let’s move on to the next denomination, the 2 cent Luxembourg euro coin. Also in this case the author is Yvette Gastauer-Claire as you can see from the style.
On the obverse, the 2 eurocent Luxembourg coin depicts the classic Grand Duke Henri, Sovereign of Luxembourg, looking to the right. The initials of the author are engraved on the collar. At the bottom is the inscription LËTZEBUERG or LUXEMBOURG, followed by the thousandth of a coin.
This is accompanied by the Mint symbol, which of course changes according to the state that is in charge of minting the coin. Finally, at the top are the 12 5-pointed stars representing the countries of the European Union.
On the reverse side, the coin depicts Europe in the world, as shown by all the other 2-cent European coins.
Let us now turn to the technical peculiarities:
Technical specifications of the 2 Cents Euro Coin from Luxembourg
- Materials: The material as well as for the 1-cent coin is steel plated with copper. Also in this case steel is present for 94.35% while copper for 5.65%.
- Thickness: The thickness is identical to the previous coin 1.67 mm
- Weight: The weight on the contrary is slightly higher 3.06 g
- Diameter: Same for the diameter of 18.75 mm
- Outline: The contour is characterized by an incused horizontal thread
- Engraver: Yvette Gastauer-Claire
Value and Circulation of 2 Cents Luxembourg Euro Coins
5 Cents Luxembourg Euro Coins
Let’s continue our analysis and move on to the 5 euro cents for Luxembourg. Also for this coin the author is Yvette Gastauer-Claire.
In the centre of the coin, the Grand Duke Henri, the sovereign of Luxembourg, is depicted with his eyes turned to the right. The author engraved his initials on the collar, signing the coin by right.
Under the bust of the Grand Duke is the inscription LËTZEBUERG which means precisely LUXEMBOURG. Immediately beside the thousandth of minting accompanied on the right by the symbol of the Mint and on the left by the symbol of the Director of the Mint. Both are variable because, as said, Luxembourg relies on other European mints to mint coins.
On the reverse side, the coin has the same facade as other European coins with the representation of Europe in the world.
Let’s move on to the technical specifications:
Technical specifications of the 5 Cents Euro Coin from Luxembourg
- Materials: The material is also in this case steel plated with copper (steel 94.35% – copper 5.65%).
- Thickness: The thickness remains unchanged, 1.67 mm
- Weight: The weight, on the other hand, continues to increase slightly, reaching 3.92 g.
- Diameter: The diameter also increases being equal to 21.25 mm
- Outline: The contour is completely smooth
- Engraver: Yvette Gastauer-Claire
Value and Circulation of 5 Cents Luxembourg Euro Coins
10 Cents Luxembourg Euro Coins
Here we are with the 10 cents euro coin from Luxembourg. Also in this case the author is the same of the other coins that is Yvette Gastauer-Claire.
On the obverse, the 10 cent Luxembourg coin depicts the Grand Duke Henri, Governor of Luxembourg, facing to the right. The initials of the author are engraved on the collar.
On the left, the inscription LËTZEBUERG, which means Luxembourg, accompanied immediately below by the thousandth of minting and two symbols.
The first is the Mint symbol and the second is the symbol of the Mint Director. Both of these symbols can of course change as Luxembourg does not have its own State Mint but relies on those of other countries.
On the reverse side, the coin has the same face as the other European 10-cent coins with a double edition. The first from 2002 to 2006 and the second from 2007 onwards.
Let’s see the technical characteristics:
Technical specifications of the 10 Cents Euro Coin from Luxembourg
- Materials: The material used this time is the Nordic Gold composed of 89% copper, 5% zinc, 5% aluminum and 1% tin.
- Thickness: The thickness increases slightly compared to other coins reaching 1.93 mm
- Weight: Weight is 4.10 g
- Diameter: The diameter is 19.75 mm
- Outline: The contour is grooved with thick knurling
- Engraver: Yvette Gastauer-Claire
Value and Circulation of 10 Cents Luxembourg Euro Coins
20 Cents Luxembourg Euro Coins
We come to the Euro 20 cent Luxembourg coin. We always talk about the same author of the previous coins then Yvette Gastauer-Claire.
On the obverse, the coin depicts the Grand Duke Henri, Sovereign of Luxembourg, facing to the right. As always, the collar bears the engraver’s signature.
To the left of the Grand Duke is the thousandth of a coinage accompanied by the symbol of the Mint and that of the President of the Mint, both variable as Luxembourg relies on different mints of other European states.
Even further to the left is the thousandth of a coinage.
On the reverse side, the coin has the same face as the other 20-cent coins. Specifically, there are two versions, one covering the years 2002 to 2006 and a second one covering the years 2007 onwards.
What changes is the representation of Europe.
Let’s see the technical characteristics together:
Technical specifications of the 20 Cents Euro Coin from Luxembourg
- Materials: As for the 10 centesimi coin, also the 20 centesimi coin is made of Nordic Gold (89% copper – 5% aluminium – 5% zinc – 1% tin).
- Thickness: The thickness is higher than the previous coin and is equal to 2.14 mm
- Weight: Weight also increases to 5.74 mm
- Diameter: The diameter is 22.25 mm
- Outline: The contour is a wide knurling
- Engraver: Yvette Gastauer-Claire.
Value and Circulation of 20 Cents Luxembourg Euro Coins
50 Cents Luxembourg Euro Coins
We come to the 50 cents euro coin from Luxembourg. As for the coins seen so far also in this case the author is Yvette Gastauer-Claire.
On the obverse, the coin depicts a classical portrait of Grand Duke Henri, Governor of Luxembourg, facing to the right. The semicircle to the right of the coin is occupied by the 12 five-pointed stars representing the States of the European Union.
Immediately to the left is the thousandth of a coinage accompanied by the symbol of the Mint and that of the Director of the Mint. Both are, of course, variable because Luxembourg relies on mints from other European countries for the minting of coins.
Further to the left is the inscription LËTZEBUERG, which means precisely Luxembourg.
On the reverse side, the coin has the same face as the other 50-centime European coins. Specifically, there are two series: one covering the years 2002 to 2006 and the other covering the years after 2007.
Let’s see the technical characteristics:
Technical specifications of the 50 Cents Euro Coin from Luxembourg
- Materials: The material is also in this case the Nordic Gold an alloy consisting of 89% copper, 5% aluminum, 5% zinc and 1% tin.
- Thickness: The thickness is 2.38 mm
- Weight: The weight is higher than the previous coins reaching 7.80 g
- Diameter: The diameter is 24.25 mm
- Outline: The contour is grooved with thick knurling
- Engraver: Yvette Gastauer-Claire.
Value and Circulation of 50 Cents Luxembourg Euro Coins
1 Euro Coin of Luxembourg
Luxembourg’s 1 euro coin has features that in some respects differentiate it from others. In any case, the author is always Yvette Gastauer-Claire.
On the Obverse this coin is divided by a vertical line. To the right of the line is the representation of Grand Duke Henri, Governor of Luxembourg, facing right. To the left of the line is the inscription LËTZEBUERG or LUXEMBOURG followed, even further to the left, by the year of minting and the symbols of the Mint and the Mint Director, which of course vary according to the Mint that is responsible for producing the coin.
The coin is surrounded by 12 5-pointed stars representing the countries of the European Union on the outer part of the coin. Between the sixth and seventh stars are the initials of the author.
On the reverse side, the coin has the same face as the other 1 euro coins with a double series. The first series dates back to the years 2002 to 2006 and the second series covers the years after 2007.
Let’s see the technical characteristics together:
Technical specifications of the 1 Euro Coin from Luxembourg
- Materials: For the 1 Euro coin we speak of a double material. The outer part is nickel – brass (copper 75% – zinc 20% – nickel 5%) while the inner part is copper – nickel (copper 75% – nickel 25%).
- Thickness: The thickness is 2.33 mm
- Weight: The weight decreases slightly compared to the previous coin to 7.50 g
- Diameter: The diameter is 23.25 mm
- Outline: The contour is striped discontinuously
- Engraver: Yvette Gastauer-Claire.
Value and Circulation of 1 Euro Coins of Luxembourg
2 Euro Coin of Luxembourg
Finally, we have the last of the Luxembourg euro coins, the 2 euro coin. Also in this case the author is Yvette Gastauer-Claire. Remember that if you do not find your 2 Euro Luxembourg coin here, you have to check the commemorative coins as well. You will find them here: Luxembourg 2 Euro Coins.
The obverse of the 2 euro Luxembourg is characterized by a vertical line that divides the two ends. On the right is represented the Grand Duke Henri, governor of Luxembourg, with the bust facing right.
On the left instead there is the inscription LËTZEBUERG which means LUXEMBOURG accompanied, even more to the left by the thousandth of minting. This is between two symbols: one is the symbol of the Mint and the other is the symbol of the Mint Director.
Both these symbols are variable because Luxembourg does not have its own State Mint and relies on those of other European countries. The whole is surrounded by 12 five-pointed stars representing the countries of the European Union. Between the sixth and seventh stars there are the initials of the author.
On the reverse side, the coin has the same face as the other European 2 euro coins. Also in this case we speak of a double edition, one dating back to the years between 2002 and 2006 and the other concerning the years from 2007 onwards.
Let’s see together the technical characteristics of this coin:
Technical specifications of the 2 Euro Coin from Luxembourg
- Materials: Bimetallic. Outer part: copper-nickel (copper 75% – nickel 25%); inner part nickel-brass (copper 75% – zinc 20% – nickel 5%).
- Thickness: The thickness is slightly reduced compared to the previous coin reaching 2.20 mm
- Weight: Weight increases significantly to 8.50 g
- Diameter: The diameter is 25.75 mm
- Outline: The contour is finely knurled with the number “2” engraved followed by two stars. All repeated 6 times. The “2” also alternates between straight and reverse.
- Engraver: Yvette Gastauer-Claire.
Value and Circulation of 2 Euro Coins of Luxembourg
Want to see more coins about the Euro collection?
- Two pages you can’t miss: 2 Euro Commemorative Coins and Rare Euro Coins
- The precious Vatican euro coins can be seen here and also the San Marino euro coins
- Here you can see the Malta euro coins and here the Cyprus euro coins.
- Euro coins from Germany can be found here and Euro coins from Estonia and Latvia Euro Coins here.
- Euro coins from France can be found here, as well as Euro coins from Austria.
- Also of great interest are the euro coins from Greece and the euro coins of Luxembourg.
- Here you will find Lithuania Euro coins and Andorra Euro coins
- We also talked about Slovenian Euro coins and Slovakia Euro coins.
- Check also Spanish Euro Coins here and Euro Coins of Portugal here.
- The Netherlands euro coins can be found here and the Ireland euro coins here.
- All precious Monaco Euro coins are here and Belgium Euro coins here