Rare Euro Cent Coins

In this page we will talk about the Rare Euro Cent Coins, but before entering into the specific topic we start from the beginning. The Year 2002 is the year that marks the entry of euro cents  into Europe. The 1 euro is divided into 1 hundred cents and the coins are eight in all: 2 euros | 1 euro | 50 cents | 20 cents | 10 cents | 5 cents | 2 cents | 1 cent.

Introduction to Rare Euro Cent Coins

All Euro coins have a map of Europe on the reverse, while on the straight side each coin has a different design depending on the euro zone.

From this it is easy to imagine that there are a large number of coins in circulation, of the same denomination, with a variety of different designs.

In addition to this peculiarity, there are several Rare Euro Cent Coins. Most of them are coins created for commemorative purposes and issued for collecting.
But there are also some examples withdrawn from the market because they are wrong and therefore very rare pieces, or unfindable.

“Then go through your purses.
You could have a coin worth a few thousand euros and not know it.
Then don’t say I didn’t warn you!” Cit.

Common and Rare Euro Cent Coins

Let’s now go and discover in more detail the euro cents and the particularities of these small coins.

The 1, 2 and 5 cent coins show Europe in relation to Africa and Asia.

The others, mentioned above, show the EU before its extension (May 2004) until the minting of January 2007.

The coins minted later show a map of Europe.

These are just some of the curiosities about euro cents. If you would like to learn more about collecting European coins, then the Euro coins collections article is what you are looking for.

1-Cent – Rare Euro Cent Coins

Let us now get to know the characteristics of the 1-cent euro coin, and let us see why everyone is looking for the rare one.

The 1 cent is the smallest euro coins. It weighs 2.30 grams, has a diameter of 16 mm and is made of steel with copper plating. The edges are smooth and the axes are German style.

1-cent coin has been in circulation since 2002, although some of the coins date from 1999, the year in which the euro was minted.

The common side of all 1 euro cent coins, the reverse, was engraved by Luc Luycx and shows a globe at the bottom right. There are also the then 15 members of the EU, the northern half of Africa and the western half of Asia. Six thin lines cut from behind, diagonally, the globe with 12 stars at the end. At the top left is the number 1 and the inscription EURO CENT. At the bottom right of the globe are the initials of the engraver LL.

The straight side of the coin is not unique but varies according to the country of issue. However, all European countries must include the twelve stars, the engraver’s initials and the year of issue in their coins.

In the mint of Rome, on the straight side, the coin shows Castel del Monte (Puglia), an octagonal building built by Frederick II of Swabia. Around 12 five-pointed stars representing the European Union, under the monogram of the Italian Republic (R I superimposed), between the mint sign on the left and the initials of the author Eugenio Driutti ( ED superimposed). Below the thousandth. The outline is smooth and the axes are German style.

Value of 1-Cent Rare Euro Coin

The value of the 1-cent coin varies according to several factors. Did you know that you can find pieces with a value of 1€ but also from 550€?
Let’s go and see in detail.

• The 1 euro cent coin, minted in 2004, Greece, Luxembourg, Holland, in conservation status FDC, is worth only 1 €
• 1 euro cent from the Netherlands in 1999, if FdC, is worth about 1.20€.
• The 1 cent coin from Malta depicting the temple of Mnajdra, if FdC is worth 2€.
• 1 Rare Euro Cent Coins from 2003 from the Republic of San Marino, worth about 10€ under FdC conditions.
• The rarest 1 Rare Euro Cent Coins is a minting error. It is a unilateral minting, i.e. with an incision only on the back and without the year of minting. It is worth 550€ if FdC and you can see an example in the image below.

The Wrong 1-cent Euro Coin

Among the euro cents there are some examples that could be particularly sought-after by collectors. In particular, what we are going to describe now is much more “known” than the coinage error we described earlier. It is 1 cent that, due to an error of the state mint, shows on the straight side the Mole Antonelliana .

In particular, the 1 cent coin shows the image of the 2 centesimi coin, that is the Mole Antonelliana of Turin. In reality the correct coin should represent Castel del Monte In Puglia. Also the diameter is that of the 2 centesimi coin, that is of 18,75 mm.

These 7000 wrong coins were, in part, withdrawn as soon as the error was discovered.
However, it is believed that there are at least 100 coins in circulation that have escaped requisition. These are particularly interesting for both numismatics enthusiasts and collectors.

Valure of  the Wrong 1-cent Euro Coin

• The value of the wrong 1 euro cent coin is around 2.500€ – 3000€. Some examples at the auction “Bolaffi” have reached a value of 6.000€. Interesting, isn’t it?
• At a Numismatic auction of Bolaffi on 23 May 2013, the most expensive piece was sold for €6,600 with an auction base of €2,500.

Remember that Bolaffi owns at least 6 coins with the error!

2-Cent – Rare Euro Cent Coins

Now let’s move on to the 2-cent coin. The 2-cent European coin corresponds to one fiftieth of a euro and is made of copper-plated steel.
It has a diameter of 18.75 mm, weighs 3 grams and has a thickness of 1.67 mm. The axes are German style and the contour with horizontal thread.

All coins have a common design on the back and a country-specific straight face. The common side of all coins was engraved by Luc Luycx and shows a globe at the bottom right.
You can also see the then 15 members of the EU, the northern half of Africa and the western half of Asia. Six thin lines cut from behind, diagonally, the globe with 12 stars at the end.

At the top left of the 2-cent coin there is the number 2 and the word “EURO CENT”. At the bottom right of the globe are the initials of the engraver LL.

In the Mint of Rome, the coin shows on its straight side the Mole Antonelliana. The design of the Mole Antonelliana was also accidentally minted on some 1-cent coins, causing a minting error that has sent to the stars the quotation of this coin for coin collectors. We talked about it in the previous chapter.

Around 12 five-pointed stars representing the European Union, on the left the monogram of the Italian Republic (RI overlapping), on the right the mint sign and the monogram of the author Luciana De Simoni (LDS). The description of the coin is completed by the German-style axes and the contour with horizontal threads.

2-Cents Coin worth 2.500 euro

As we have already written before it is a 2 cent coin with printed illustration of the 1 cent coin. We refer to this coin as “1 cent with the Mole Antonelliana” or “wrong 1 cent of euro”, because it has the design that the 1 cent coin should have.

However, if you look at the coin from the point of view of its diameter, it is actually a 2-cent coin and therefore you can refer to it correctly with the terms “2 rare cents of euro” or “2 wrong cents of euro”.

How do you recognize it? The diameter” If you find a 1-cent coin with the largest diameter of a normal 1-cent coin, then that is a minting error. There are therefore various chances that it is just the 2 rare cents that everyone would like to find.

Value of Rare 2-Cents Coin

The 2-cent FDC coin has a value ranging from 20 cents to 50 cents. There are also pieces that are worth much more. Let us give a few examples:

• The Value of the 2 rare Cents of Malta 2008 depicting the Temple of Mnajdra is 1€ (FdC)
• The value of the 2 Rare Euro Cent Coins of the Vatican coined (67.000 pieces) between 2002 and 2003 with FDC conservation status is as high as 110€ (55€ if BB).
• Not to forget the 2 cents of 2500€ that, as already mentioned, make this cut particularly interesting.

The Eurozone countries are abandoning the 1- and 2-cent coins, which will result in a higher valuation as they may become rare over time. So before you get rid of these coins, think about it!

Now, if you have rare coins like these (but also different rarer coins), you can have fun and earn some money by auctioning them online. We always buy and sell coins at auction using this partner site. It is the largest online coin auction site and we really recommend it. Both selling and buying coins at auction is easy and exciting.

5-Cents – Rare Euro Cent Coins

The 5 euro cent coin has a value of one twentieth of a euro and is made of steel covered with copper. It has a diameter of 21, 25 mm, weighs 3.92 grams and has a thickness of 1.67 mm. The axes in this case are also German style and the contour with horizontal thread.

As for the 1 and 2 cents, also the 5 cents have a common face and the straight side of the coin with a different design depending on the country of the euozona. On the right, by Luc Luycx, there is the value of the coin on the left, while on the right there is a drawing of the Earth crossed by 6 lines that join 12 stars. The design of the Earth symbolises Europe in relation to the world, while the 12 stars recall the European flag.

On the back of the coin, in the mint of Rome, is engraved the Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheatre. Around it are 12 five-pointed stars representing the European Union, at the top right the monogram of the Italian Republic (RI), at the top slightly to the left the mint sign and at the bottom the thousandth.

Under the base of the Colosseum, on the right, the initials of the author Ettore Lorenzo Flappicini (ELF). The 5 euro area cents have a different design but all have 12 stars, the engraver’s initials and the year of issue.

Value of 5-cents Euro Coin

The least common 5 cents coin has a value ranging from 1€ to 15€ Some other coins, however, are considered 5 cents of value and quoted at about 40€.

• 5 cents of the countries Ireland, Portugal, Greece and Spain, minted in 2002 is worth 1 € (BU)
• The 5 cents of Malta 2008 with designed the temple of Mnajdra, is worth 1 € (Fdc)
• 5 Cents of the Republic of San Marino, minted in 2003, is worth 10 € (BU)
•  The Rare Euro Cent Coins minted by the mint Rome, minted 2003, are worth 15 € (if SPL)
• The 5 cents Rare Euro Cent Coins of the Vatican Mint, minted in 2002, are worth 40 € (Fdc)

10-Cents – Rare Euro Cent Coins

The 10 cent euro coin is worth one tenth of a euro and consists of an alloy called Nordic gold. It has a diameter of 19.75 mm, weighs 4.10 grams and has a thickness of 1.93 mm. All coins have a common face on the back and a specific for each country on the straight side. On the reverse, by Luc Luycx, is present on the right the value of the coin while on the left there is a drawing depicting the map of Europe crossed by 6 lines that join 12 stars.

The design recalls the unity of Europe while the 12 stars recall the European flag. The edge is striped with thick knurling and the axes are German style.

On the straight side, in the mint of Rome, the coin shows the “Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli. Around it are 12 five-pointed stars representing the European Union, at the top right the thousandth and the monogram of the Italian Republic (RI overlapping), on the right of the neck of Venus the mint sign (R). Between two stars, the initials of the author Claudia Momoni (CM).

Value of 10-cents Euro Coin

In the absence of minting errors or peculiarities of the specific 10 cent euro coins, the coin has a face value of 10 cents. However, there are some particular conditions that can increase the value. An example is the 10 euro cents of Malta in 2008, which in FdC quality are worth 1€.

It is not an interesting coin therefore for the collectors or for the “seekers of treasures”. Or is it?

Value of 10-Cents Year 2002

The 10 cent coin with year of issue 2002, has a rather interesting value for coin collectors and numismatists.

• These are generally pieces with manufacturing errors. They range from €236 for a coin with an error in the year of issue (2002) because to read the date you have to rotate the coin 180°, up to 288 € for a coin minted in 2002, Germany.

20-Cents – Rare Euro Cent Coins

The 20 cents euro coin is worth one fifth of one euro. It has a diameter of 22.25 mm, is 2.14 mm thick and weighs 5.74 grams. The edge is smooth with seven recesses (Spanish flower) and is made of alloy called Nordic gold. As for all the other coins already described, the back has a common face and another that depends on the country of the euro zone.

In the case of the mint of Rome, it presents on its straight face “Forme Uniche di Continuità nello Spazio” (Unique Forms of Continuity in Space), a 1913 work by the futurist sculptor Boccioni. Around 12 five-pointed stars representing the European Union, on the left the monogram of the Italian Republic (RI overlapping), on the right the mint sign and the monogram of the author Maria Angela Cassol (M.A.C.).

The coin dates back to 2002, when euro coins and banknotes were introduced into the euro area, with 12 member states.

Value of 20-cents Euro Coin

Let’s go find the value of 20 cents of Euro.

• Under normal circumstances, 20-cent coins in circulation have a face value of 20 euro cents. Strange, isn’t it?
• If, on the other hand, they have special features, such as minting errors or metal redundancies, a Rare Euro Cent Coins of this kind can be worth from €3.25 to €55 in FDC. And that’s the good news.

Value of 20-Cents Year 1999

Another point for the sensational error of coinage of the 20 cents coin with the thousandth of coinage 1999 issued in 2002:

The 1.179.335 coins, minted by mistake, were all withdrawn and destroyed (…almost all of them).

The samples stolen from the Mint before the withdrawal, have no economic value because they are not marketable, or at least this is what the Italian authorities declare.

Moreover, whoever is found in possession of it can be accused of receiving stolen goods, and the money can be confiscated immediately.

With these premises, you understand well that these coins are to say the least “interesting” for amateurs and Numismatics and their “illegal trade” is more than probable.

Obviously we do NOT know their (illegal) value.

So watch out and if you have a few “special” cents, rely on a good numismatist for advice or keep it and then ask for information from experts.

50-Cents – Rare Euro Cent Coins

We talked about these coins in another article that you can find on this page: rare 50 cents of Euro.

All the Other Rare Euro Coins

The galaxy of rare euro coins certainly does not stop at pennies. In fact, most of the most highly valued coins among the euros go beyond the minting errors we have seen on this page. Check out our catalogs of individual European countries and discover the rarest coins.

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Would you like to see the other Eurocollection divisional coins? Read these articles:

• Two pages you can’t miss: 2 Euro Commemorative Coins and Rare Euro Coins
• The precious Vatican euro coins can be seen here as well as 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.
• Really interesting 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 out th 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 the precious Monaco Euro coins are here and Belgium Euro coins here