The first euro commemorative coins were issued by Greece in 2004 on the occasion of the Olympic Games in Athens.
Greece
Feature: Olympic Games in Athens 2004
Description: The 12 stars of the European Union positioned around the outer circle surround the design of an ancient statue depicting a discobolus in his attempt to throw the discus. The base of the statue covers a small part of the coin’s external ring (outer part). To the left is the logo of the Olympic Games "ATHENS 2004" above the five Olympic circles, and to the right, one above the other, are the figure "2" and the word "ΕΥΡΩ." The yearmark is written in split form around the star positioned bottom center, as follows: 20*04, and the mintmark is above the athlete’s head to the left.
Issuing volume: a maximum of 50 million coins
Issuing date: March 2004
Luxembourg
Feature: effigy and monogram of Grand-Duke Henri
Description: The coin depicts on the left hand of the inner part the effigy of His Royal Highness, Grand-Duke Henri, looking to the right, and on the right hand the monogram of Grand-Duke Henri (special letter "H" topped with a crown). The 12 stars appear in semicircular form to the right of the monogram. The year 2004, surrounded by the mintmark as well as the engraver’s initials, and the word LËTZEBUERG are written in circular form at the top of the ring. The words "HENRI — Grand-Duc de Luxembourg" appear at the bottom of the ring.
Issuing volume: a maximum of 2.49 million coins
Issuing date: June 23, 2004
Finland
Feature: enlargement of the European Union by ten new Member States
Description: The design describes a stylized pillar from which sprouts grow upwards. The sprouts represent the enlargement of the European Union. The pillar represents the foundation for growth. The pillar contains the letters "EU." In the upper part of the coin the year "2004" is inscribed. 12 stars, together with the year, surround the design.
Issuing volume: a maximum of 1 million coins
Issuing date: June/July 2004
San Marino
Feature: Bartolomeo Borghesi (historian, numismatist)
Description: The 12 stars of the European Union positioned around the outer circle of the coin and the issuing year "2004," positioned bottom center, surround the bust of Bartolomeo Borghesi. To the left of the bust is the inscription "Bartolomeo Borghesi," and one above the other are the letter "R" and the engraver’s initials "E.L.F". To the right of the bust is the word "San Marino."
Issuing volume: a maximum of 110,000 coins
Issuing date: December 2004
Italy
Feature: 5th decade of the World Food Program
Description: In the center is a globe, tilted to the right and bearing the inscription "WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME." An ear of wheat, an ear of maize and an ear of rice, the three grains representing the world’s food staples, emerge from behind the globe. To the right of the globe an "I" is superimposed on an "R," denoting "Repubblica Italiana," below which there appears a smaller combination of the letters "U" and "P," the initials of the engraver, Uliana Pernazza. To the upper left of the globe is the mintmark "R" and under the globe is the year – "2004." The 12 stars of the European Union are positioned around the outer circle.
Issuing volume: a maximum of 16 million coins
Issuing date: December 15, 2004
Vatican
Feature: 75th anniversary of the founding of the Vatican City State
Description: The inner part shows a schematic representation of the perimeter walls of the Vatican City with St. Peter’s Basilica in the foreground. Also in the inner part are the inscriptions "75 o ANNO DELLO STATO" and "1929–2004" as well as, in smaller letters, the name of the designer, "VEROI," and the initials of the engraver, "L.D.S. INC." The outer part of the coin features the 12 stars of the European Union and the inscription "CITTA’ DEL VATICANO."
Issuing volume: a maximum of 100,000 coins
Issuing date: December 15, 2004
