Rare Euro Coins – The Value of Rare €2 and Rare 2 Cent Coins

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€2 coin Greece 2007
€2 coin Greece 2007

In this article, we will explore which euro coins are rare and discover their value.

Since there are many euro coins, here you will find only an introduction to the rarest coins and their valuations. For more in-depth information, you should consult the sections dedicated to individual countries for each specific year.

If you are starting a collection or perhaps have found a particular coin or were given a rare euro coin as change, this page will surely be useful for understanding the different types of coins.

Another note: if in addition to rare euros you are interested in learning more about the value of rare lira, then visit our other article: Value of Rare Lira.

Introduction

In the year 2001, the Italian Republic definitively abandoned the old currency, the lira, to switch to the new coinage, the Euro.
Collectors who had managed to accumulate a good amount of rare coins (especially rare lire) thus saw their value increase due to their new status of out of production.

However, the new currency has not disappointed collectors and numismatic enthusiasts.
In fact, there are many rare euro coins, especially the rare commemorative €2 coins, and rare cents such as the much-discussed rare 2 cents that we will talk about shortly.

All euro coins can be collected in what is called the Euro collection.

Why are there rare euro coins?

The question arises:
How is it that, if the Euro has been in circulation for such a short time, there are already rare and sought-after euro coins?

The fact is that the value of some euro coins, and not only, is determined by a series of independent factors.

For example, some rare euro coins of value, even if produced recently and in large quantities, are difficult to find. Therefore, in this case, rarity is due to the fact that they are truly unobtainable, a condition that makes them even more interesting for collectors.

Thus, this difficulty in obtaining affects the valuation of the coin that has effectively “become” rare. This applies to the euro just as it does to any other coin, and consequently increases its perceived value as well. A prime example could be the rare 50 cents from 2007.


Another useful example can be some commemorative €2 coins, particularly referring to the Finnish Commemorative €2 minted in 2004 or some Greek €2 coins that we will discuss later.

Some euro coins can be considered rare because they were actually minted in limited quantities. There are even mintages reserved solely for numismatic collectors who thus guard these coins jealously. An example could be the divisional series of euro coins.

However, it is likely that some of these rare euro specimens “slipped through the fingers” and the watchful eyes of collectors, thus ending up in circulation.

Finding one of these specimens could turn out to be a small/great fortune.

Now let's see together which rare euro coins you might have in your wallet.

Rare euro cents

A One Cent Minting Error
A One Cent Minting Error

The Euro cents are the coins with denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 euro cents.
They may seem like coins of little value, and indeed most of them are, but they can also be coins that turn out to be very interesting from a numismatic perspective.

Collectors are always on the lookout for particularities or minting errors that in some cases can inflate the value of these insignificant coins to dizzying heights.

Take for example the famous cents with the Mole Antonelliana, a valuable minting error that we will discuss now.

Rare Italian cent coins worth €2,500

Even the Euro, and particularly with our country, Italy, brings us satisfaction in the field of rare euro coins thanks to some interesting minting errors.

  • We are talking about the euro cent (1 euro cent coin) that is much discussed and sought after.
    One of these coins has a small great peculiarity:

In fact, it is a coin with a huge minting error that incredibly increases its value!

That is why it is the rarest one-cent euro coin!

If you are lucky enough to own one, you would have no trouble recognizing it because on the reverse of the coin is depicted the Mole Antonelliana.

And you might be wondering what is strange about this coin with the Mole, well… it is a minting error!

The minting error of the Italian cents.

In fact, the Mole Antonelliana is the symbol engraved on the 2 cent coins and not on the 1 euro cent coins. This is therefore an error that the staff at the Rome mint realized a bit late.

The correct print should have been the engraving of Castel del Monte. Here is the cause and origin of the astronomical value of almost 2,500€ at which these coins are currently sold and valued.

I forgot to mention that the rare cents issued by mistake are about 7000! And despite the attempt to retrieve all the coins, it is estimated that at least 100 are still in some hidden drawer.

This means that there are as many as 100 checks worth over 2 thousand euros ready to be cashed for free.

  • Curiosity: a collector paid as much as 6,600 euros to buy one of these rare euro coins. He managed to win it at the Bolaffi auction in May 2013

Considering that Bolaffi has at least 5 other 1 cent coins with the error, we can expect more interesting auctions in the coming years. On the page dedicated to rare euro cents you can see the individual coins, prices, and rarity.

Rare commemorative 2 euro coins

some rare 2 euro commemorative coins
some rare 2 euro commemorative coins

Now let's talk about some of the most beautiful, interesting, and exciting coins out there. These are the famous 2 Euro commemorative coins, which, as we have mentioned several times, are usually not rare coins. In fact, they are produced in large quantities and well distributed across Europe, and they can also be easily found at quite accessible prices.

However, some 2 euro commemorative coins, although not rare, are considered difficult to find. Among these commemorative coins, there are some that are highly sought after by collectors. Below we list only a few due to space constraints. If you want to see them all, then check the page of rare 2 Euro coins.

  • 2 euro commemorative from Luxembourg 2010
  • the 2 euro commemorative from Belgium 2005
  • 2 euro commemorative from Netherlands 2011
  • the 2 euro commemorative from Germany 2006

The ones listed above are all coins that have a value around €10. However, there are others that are even more valued, and these are the ones we all wish to find as change in our wallets. Let's give some examples, but keep in mind that you can find all these coins and their values on the dedicated page for 2 euro commemorative.

Since our country is one of the European countries with the highest number of two Euro commemorative coins, it is good to know which these coins are and their value. You can find all our Commemorative coins on the 2 Euro Italy page.

Rare Finland 2 euro commemorative 2004

Some rare euros become such not because they are limited edition items, but rather because they are subject to the law of market demand/supply.

2 Rare Finnish Euros highly sought after by collectors.
2 Rare Finnish Euros highly sought after by collectors.

For example, collectors highly demand the coin minted in Finland in 2004. The rare Finnish 2 euro coins were minted in 1 million copies and distributed only in Finnish territory mixed with other coins.

Hence the difficulty of finding them and the great demand from collectors who are willing to pay between €35 and €50 for each rare 2 euro coin. On the 2 Euro Commemorative page, you can find the complete catalog and check if you have any rare coins.

Other rare euro coins by country

Euro Slovenia Eurocollezione
Euro Slovenia Eurocollezione

Now let's enter the vast and numerous variety of all the Euro coins from various countries. Although the denominations remain the same as well as the common face of the coins, each country has issued and minted coins with the most different designs and illustrations.

Rare Euro Coins from Slovenia

Among the Slovenian euro coins, there are many classified as rare (R) and therefore truly very interesting for enthusiasts and collectors. You can find the complete article with all the values for each year on this page: Coins Euro Slovenia.

Let's start with the Slovenian 1 cent euro coins and note that the coins from the years 2010 to 2014 as well as 2017 and 2019 are considered rare and have values that are 200 times their face value.

Among the 2 cent Slovenian coins, particularly sought after are those from 2015 and 2017, which are valued at over €2. The rarest and most valued Slovenian 5 cent coins belong to the year of minting 2018.

Among the 10 cent coins, apart from the common ones from 2007, we find various uncommon or rare mintages, with values up to €2.59. The most valued 20 cent coins also reach a similar estimate.

Also interesting are the rare 50 cent Slovenian coins from 2010 to 2018, especially the uncommon one from 2009, which is valued at over €4.

Rare Euro Coins: 1 and 2 Euro Slovenia

Among the 1 euro coins from Slovenia, the 2011 and 2012 coins are definitely worth mentioning as they are valued between €5 and €7.

An example of a much-discussed coin but unfortunately with little value is the 2 euro Slovenia coin. We are talking about the 2 euro coin minted in 2007 in Slovenia.

2 euro slovenia 2007
2 Euro Slovenia 2007

It is the 2 euro coin with the highest mintage minted in Slovenia, and its value is just a few cents above its face value. A different story, however, for the same coin minted in years different from 2007. The latter are indeed all rare or uncommon and have high valuations, even up to over €12. On the page dedicated to the catalog of Euro coins from Slovenia, you will find all the individual coins with price and rarity.

Rare Euro Coins from Malta

The coins from Malta provide us with many ideas to enrich our collection of interesting and sought-after European coins. We have discussed this in detail on the page dedicated to Euro Coins from Malta, which we recommend you consult as it contains all the values of the coins.

Euro Malta Coins
Euro Malta Eurocollezione

Starting from the cents, some interesting pieces are already noticeable.

For example, among the various rare coins, the 1 cent coin from Malta from 2015 has a valuation of 14 times its face value. We are not talking about large amounts since they are 1 cent coins, but it is still interesting to note their rarity.

The 2 cent coins from Malta also have various mintages that are currently rare. For example, the 2012 coin depicting the Imnajdra temple has a valuation of almost €1.

The 5 cent coins from Malta, which have the same design as the 1 and 2 cent coins, also have various rare mintages. Among them, we highlight the 5 cent coins from Malta from 2012.

The design of the 10 cent euro coin from Malta changes, and with the specimen minted in 2013, we finally exceed the valuation of €2. Not bad for a small 10 cent coin.

The 20 cent coins from Malta are practically all rare, except for the minting of 2008. However, their value slightly exceeds €2, as in the case of the 2013 coin.

The 50 cent coins from Malta are almost all rare euro coins, but they do not have particularly high values. Not a big deal for those who are looking for all the coins from European states and need to complete their collection.

Rare Euro Coins: 1 and 2 Euro from Malta

The 1 euro coins from Malta, apart from those from 2016 and 2008, are all rare euro coins. The valuations are interesting, and for perfect coins, they even reach almost 7 times their face value.

2 Euro Malta
2 Euro Malta

Finally, we come to the 2 euro coins from Malta, and looking at the various mintages, the coins from the years 2012, 2011, and 2014 immediately catch the eye, with valuations ranging from €8 to over €12.

On the page dedicated to the catalog of commemorative 2 Euro coins from Malta, you will find all the individual coins with price and rarity.

Rare Euro Coins from Greece

The Greek euro coins are very recognizable, perhaps because, as in the case of the 1 euro and 2 euro Greek coins, they refer to and depict images related to Greek mythology. Let's briefly see what the interesting pieces are, but we strongly recommend checking the page of Euro Coins Greece, where you will find all the valuations for each individual year.

greek euro coins
Euro Greece Eurocollezione

The 1 cent euro coins from Greece, unfortunately, are not rare euro coins. In fact, all the mintages are common and in very high numbers. However, only the Uncirculated mintages are very well valued and have values around €1.

For the 2 cent Greek coins, the same story applies. They are common coins but valued at about €1 if in uncirculated condition. Notably, the 2 cent euro Greece from 2003 is worth €2 if uncirculated.

The 5 cent euro coins from Greece start to become interesting. Some uncommon mintages are valued at €7. Others are even rare (R2) and therefore highly sought after.

Speaking of the 10 cent euro coins, it should be noted that they were created in 2 different series. The first series is the one that has the most relevance regarding valuations, some of which reach €8. The second series, however, sees some rare mintages (R2) with only a few thousand specimens, making them highly sought after.

Among the 20 cent euro coins from Greece, the uncommon mintages from the first series are interesting, reaching €8 in value for each specimen in uncirculated condition. Also, in the second series, rare coins are very numerous.

The 50 cent coins from Greece are also interesting, as they, like the 20 cent coins, have valuations of around €6.50 in the first series in uncirculated condition and boast many rare euro coins in the second series.

Rare Euro Coins: 1 and 2 Euro Greeks

We arrive at the famous 1 euro coin from Greece that depicts the characteristic owl, which is actually the Owl of Minerva. The mintages from 2012 to 2018 are rare (R2), while those from earlier reach a maximum of €5 in valuation in uncirculated condition.

2 euro coin Greece 2007 R2
2 Euro Greece 2007 R2

Finally, let's look at the Rare 2 Euro coins from Greece. Among these, there are 2 definitely interesting pieces, and the value of these coins is €30 for one and €50 for the other. To know the year, check the page Euro Coins Greece, where you will find all the valuations divided by year.

Rare Euro Coins from Germany

Now let's talk about other euro coins, the German ones, which we probably handle every day or have in our wallets right now. Let's briefly see their rarity in the next lines, but if you want to check the valuation of each individual coin from each year, I recommend reading this page: euro coins Germany.

Euro Germany Eurocollezione
Euro Germany Eurocollezione

Let's start with the 1 cent euro coins from Germany. Bad news for those expecting to have rare coins in hand, as they are all common coins with significant mintages. That's why we often find them in hand.

The same applies to the 2 cent German coins; they are all common.

Among the 5 cent coins from Germany, however, there are some uncommon (NC) ones, specifically those from the year 2003.

Also among the 10 cent coins, we find some uncommon (NC) years with fairly limited uncirculated mintages. We even find the first rare (R) German coins, which are the 10 cent coins from 2008 to 2016.

The 20 cent German coins are all common.

Among the 50 cent euro coins from Germany, we find both uncommon and rare coins, but also, and above all, common ones. The coins from 2008 to 2018 are classified as Rare.

Rare Euro Coins: 1 and 2 Euro Germany

The 1 euro coins from Germany are very varied in rarity. The rare ones are numerous, specifically from 2008 onwards until 2018. They have value only if perfectly preserved. Finally, the 2 euro coins from Germany are all common, except for those from 2006, which are uncommon (NC). On the page dedicated to the catalog of German Euro coins, you will find all the individual coins with price and rarity.

Rare Euro Coins from Cyprus

The coins from Cyprus, we are still talking about euros, are more interesting compared to the German ones described above. Let's see together in general which are the rare euro coins from Cyprus, and as always, for a more detailed consultation, refer to the specific page of the country, which you can find here: Euro Coins Cyprus.

Euro Cyprus
Euro Cyprus

Let's start with the 1 cent euro coins from Cyprus, which are very characteristic for the design of the two mouflons, which is also the same on the 2 and 5 cent coins. Many of these coins are rare, and strangely, even the older common ones are valued very highly. In particular, they are worth 200 times their face value.

The 2 cent euro coins from Cyprus, if in perfect condition and from the years of minting 2008 – 2009 – 2010, are worth 100 times their face value.

As for the 5 cent coins, we know that from 2013 to 2018 they are considered rare (R) and that those from 2008 are worth €1 if kept perfect. In the 10 cent coins, the design changes, but the rarities remain more or less the same. From 2013 onwards, they are considered rare coins. The same applies to the 20 cent euro coins from Cyprus, which are considered rare from 2013 onwards.

The uncirculated specimens of the 50 cent euro coins from Cyprus start to become interesting. Some are worth even €3 for collectors.

Rare Euro Coins: 1 and 2 Euro Cyprus

1 euro coin from cyprus with the cross
1 Euro Cyprus Eurocollezione

The most valued 1 euro coin from Cyprus is the one with the design of the cross from 2008, but even the subsequent ones are uncommon or rare. Finally, the 2 euro coins from Cyprus always feature the idol in the shape of a cross. The most noteworthy are the 2 euro Cyprus coins from 2008, 2009, and 2013, which, if in FDC quality, have interesting values and are quite sought after.

On the page dedicated to the catalog of Euro coins from Cyprus, you will find all the individual coins with price and rarity.

How to Sell or Buy Rare Euro Coins

You might find it useful to know that if you own one or more rare coins, you can also decide to sell them at auction by following this guide.

If you are instead interested in purchasing, alternatively, you can always search for the coin you are interested in and make an offer to acquire it. In this case, follow this page for all coins at auction to see which rare coins have already been put up for auction.

Do you want to see the other divisional coins of the Euro collection? Read these articles:

The 2€ commemorative coins of European states:

Catalogues by year (€2 commemoratives):

Frequently asked questions

What are rare euro coins?

Rare euro coins include minting errors (such as the 1 cent with the Mole Antonelliana), cents and 50 cents with limited mintages, and some hard-to-find €2 commemorative coins. On this page, you will find examples by country and links to dedicated catalogs.

What is a rare euro coins price list?

This page is an overview of rare euro coins with indicative values for minting errors, rare cents, and sought-after €2 commemoratives. For full lists by country and year, use the national euro coin catalogues linked below.

What are the values of rare Italian 2 cent coins?

The famous minting error on the Italian 1 cent (Mole Antonelliana instead of Castel del Monte) is valued at around €2,500; at auction, they have sold for over €6,000. It is estimated that about 100 specimens are still in circulation.

Which rare 2 euro coins are most valuable?

They are €2 coins with a special subject: most are not rare, but some issues (Finland 2004, Greece, Luxembourg, etc.) are more sought after due to their mintage or difficulty in finding them. See the dedicated section and the page /euro-coins/rare-2-euro/.

Where can I find a rare euro cents catalogue?

In the Rare Euro Cents section on this page and in the catalogue /euro-coins/rare-cents/ you will find individual coins, indicative prices, and rarity grades.

How to sell or buy rare euro coins?

You can use the guides on where to sell and buy rare coins, online numismatic auctions, and the country catalogs linked from this page (Eurocollezione and national hubs).

Where to Sell or Buy Coins

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