Luxembourg Euro

The history of Luxembourg numismatics is quite unique and specifically goes through several stages before reaching what it is today.

In particular, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has been an independent state since 1839 and, consequently, has adopted its own currency over time.

Initially, this was the Belgian Franc, commonly used in Luxembourg.

However, starting in 1848, Luxembourg decided to establish its own unique currency. This was the Luxembourg Franc, indeed.

In 1921, it was pegged to the Belgian Franc at a 1:1 exchange rate. This way, both currencies could circulate freely in the two countries.

The Luxembourg Franc continued to circulate and remain valid in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg until 2002.
Starting from that year, it was replaced, following agreements among European states, by the single currency: the Euro.

From 2002 onwards, the Euro became the official currency and, although gradually, it definitively replaced the Luxembourg Franc.

It is important to highlight a curious fact. Luxembourg does not have a State Mint, unlike all other states in the European Union.

For this reason, the minting of Luxembourg Euros is delegated to other European mints, which then ensure that the various coins reach the owning state.

Having made this brief introduction to the history of numismatics in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, we can move on to the analysis of the different Euro coins from this state.

Let’s start with the very first coin: 1 Euro Cent Luxembourg. Specifically, this coin was designed by Yvette Gastauer-Claire.

On the Obverse, this coin features Grand Duke Henri, sovereign of Luxembourg, looking to the right. It is interesting to note that the initials of the designer are engraved in the collar of the Grand Duke.

At the bottom, the inscription LËTZEBUERG, meaning Luxembourg, is present, immediately followed by the year of minting. It is important to emphasize that the year of minting is accompanied by the mint mark, which, as mentioned earlier, can vary since Luxembourg does not have its own State Mint but delegates the minting to other European mints.
Surrounding the design are the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European Union.

On the Reverse, the coin features the same design as the other 1 Euro cent coins in Europe.

Now let’s move on to the technical specifications.

Now let's move on to the next coin, namely the 2 Euro Cents. In this case, the author is Yvette Gastauer-Claire, as can be seen from the style.

On the Obverse, the 2 euro cent coin from Luxembourg features a classic depiction of Grand Duke Henri, the sovereign of Luxembourg, looking to the right. The initials of the author are engraved on the collar. At the bottom, the inscription LËTZEBUERG, which means LUXEMBOURG, is present, followed by the year of minting.

This is accompanied by the mint mark, which naturally changes based on the country responsible for minting the coin. Finally, at the top, there are 12 five-pointed stars representing the member states of the European Union.

On the Reverse, the coin features the depiction of Europe in the world, just like all other 2 euro cent coins in Europe.

Now let's move on to the technical specifications:

We continue our analysis and move on to the 5 Euro Cents Luxembourg. The author of this coin is also Yvette Gastauer-Claire.

On the Obverse, exactly at the center of the coin, is depicted Grand Duke Henri, the sovereign of Luxembourg, looking to the right. On the collar, the author has engraved her initials, thus signing the coin.

Below the bust of the Grand Duke is the inscription LËTZEBUERG, which means Luxembourg. Immediately next to it is the year of minting, accompanied on the right by the mintmark and on the left by the symbol of the Director of the Mint. Both are variable as Luxembourg relies on other European mints to coin its coins.

On the Reverse, the coin features the same design as other European coins, depicting Europe in the world.

Now let's move on to the technical specifications:

Here we are with the 10 Euro Cents coin from Luxembourg. Once again, the author is the same as the other coins, namely Yvette Gastauer-Claire.

On the Obverse, the 10 cents coin from Luxembourg features a depiction of Grand Duke Henri, the governor of Luxembourg, facing to the right. The initials of the author are engraved in relief on the collar.

To the left is the inscription LËTZEBUERG, which means Luxembourg, immediately accompanied below by the year of minting and two symbols.

The first is the Mint mark, while the second is the symbol of the Director of the Mint. Both of these symbols can naturally change as Luxembourg does not have its own State Mint but relies on those of other countries.

On the Reverse, the coin presents the same face as the other 10 cent European coins with a double edition. The first from the years 2002 to 2006, while the second from 2007 onwards.

Let's take a look at the technical specifications:

We arrive at the 20 Cents Euro Luxembourg coin. We are still talking about the same author as the previous coins, namely Yvette Gastauer-Claire.

On the Obverse, the coin features the depiction of Grand Duke Henri, sovereign of Luxembourg, facing to the right. As always, the engraver's signature is indicated on the collar.

To the left of the Grand Duke is the year of minting accompanied by the mint mark and that of the President of the Mint, both variable as Luxembourg relies on different mints from other European states.
Even further to the left is the year of minting.

On the Reverse, the coin presents the exact same face as the other 20 Cents Euro coins. Specifically, there are two versions, one that includes the years from 2002 to 2006 and a second that concerns the years from 2007 onwards.
What changes is the depiction of Europe.

Let's take a look at the technical specifications:

We arrive at the coin of 50 cents Euro from Luxembourg. As with the coins seen so far, the author is Yvette Gastauer-Claire.

On the Obverse, the coin features a classical portrait of Grand Duke Henri, Governor of Luxembourg, facing right. The semicircle to his right is occupied by the 12 five-pointed stars representing the States of the European Union.

Immediately to the left is the year of minting accompanied by the Mint symbol and that of the Director of the Mint. Both are naturally variable as Luxembourg relies on mints from other European States for coin production.
Even further to the left is the inscription LËTZEBUERG which signifies Luxembourg.

On the Reverse, the coin presents the same face as the other 50 Cents European coins. Specifically, there are two series: one that spans the years between 2002 and 2006 and the other concerning the years following 2007.

Let's look at the technical specifications:

The 1 Euro coin from Luxembourg features traits that, in some ways, differentiate it from others. 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 depiction of Grand Duke Henri, Governor of Luxembourg, facing right. To the left of the line is the inscription LËTZEBUERG, meaning LUXEMBOURG, followed, even further left, by the year of minting and the symbols of the Mint and the Mint Director, which naturally vary depending on the Mint responsible for producing the coin.

All of this is surrounded, on the outer part of the coin, by the 12 five-pointed stars representing the states of the European Union. Between the sixth and seventh star are the initials of the author.

On the Reverse, the coin features the same face as other 1 Euro coins with a double series. The first dates from the years 2002 to 2006, while the second pertains to the years after 2007.

Let’s take a look at the technical specifications:

Finally, we have arrived at the last of the Euro coins from Luxembourg, namely the 2 Euro coin. In this case, the author is Yvette Gastauer-Claire.

The Obverse of the 2 Euro Luxembourg coin is characterized by a vertical line that divides its two ends. On the right, Grand Duke Henri, the governor of Luxembourg, is depicted with his bust facing right.

On the left, there is the inscription LËTZEBUERG, which means LUXEMBOURG, accompanied, even further to the left, by the year of minting. This is located between two symbols: one is the Mint mark, while the other is the symbol of the Director of the Mint.

Both of these symbols are variable as Luxembourg does not have its own State Mint and relies on those of other European States. The entire design is surrounded by 12 five-pointed stars representing the countries of the European Union. Between the sixth and seventh star, the initials of the author are present.

On the Reverse, the coin features the same design as other European 2 Euro coins. Again, there is a double edition, one dating from the years between 2002 and 2006, while the other pertains to the years from 2007 onwards.

Let’s take a look at the technical specifications of this coin: