The German government has decided to mint a €2 collectors’ coin commemorating the Bundesrat (the second house of Parliament). It was issued on 29 January 2019. The coin pays tribute to the Bundesrat, one of the five permanent constitutional bodies of the Federal Republic of Germany, which in 2019 will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of its foundation. The coin is a part of the “Federal States” series launched in 2006, which seeks to communicate a clearer idea of Germany’s federal structure to the citizens of Europe.

Michael Otto, an artist from the town of Rodenbach, Germany, designed the national (picture) side. A distinctive feature of this coin is its highly detailed three-dimensional representation of the building. Through his skilful rendition of the perspective view of the garden and ensemble of buildings, the artist succeeds in drawing the viewer into the Bundestag. The sober and classical design is appropriate for the position the Bundestag has within our federal system. 

The European side corresponds to the common reverse side of the regular issue €2 coin in circulation since 2007, which depicts a map of Europe without national borders. The technical parameters of the €2 collectors’ coin are the same as those on any regular issue €2 coin.

As on current German €2 collectors’ coins, the inscription “EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT” (unity, justice and freedom) is embossed on the coin's edge, together with a stylised federal eagle.

The envisaged minting volume to be brought into circulation is 30 million coins. 

The coin is valid as legal tender throughout the euro area.