The German government has decided to mint a €2 commemorative coin entitled “175th Anniversary of the Frankfurt Constitution” to be issued on 21 March 2024.

The Frankfurt Constitution, which was adopted by the National Assembly in the Paulskirche on 27 March 1849, was the first attempt to establish a nationwide democratic constitution for Germany.

The national (picture) side was designed by Berlin artist Bodo Broschat. The foreground shows the Paulskirche memorial site from a unique visual perspective, watching the representatives of the constituent National Assembly file into the church. Behind this is the paper upon which the Constitution is written and a quill pen, representing the outcome achieved by the Frankfurt Parliament. The image is crowned by three female allegories: Unity, Justice and Freedom, and the black, red and gold tricolour flag of Germany. The design with its dynamic and lively relief intrigues the onlooker, capturing the timeless nature of the basic democratic principles that were laid down for the first time in this defining moment.

The inner part of the coin also features the words “PAULSKIRCHENVERFASSUNG 1849” (Frankfurt Constitution 1849) as well as the year of issue “2024” at the bottom, the country code “D” indicating that the country of issue is Germany, the minting letter of the respective mint location, (“A”, “D”, “F”, “G” or “J”) and the artist’s initials. The twelve stars of Europe are arranged on the outer ring of the national side.

The European side corresponds to the common reverse side of the regular issue €2 coin in circulation since 2007, depicting a map of Europe without national borders. The technical parameters of the €2 commemorative coin are the same as those of any regular issue €2 coin. Up to 30 million coins are to be minted for circulation. The coin will be valid as legal tender throughout the euro area.

Like the standard German €2 coins, the edge of the commemorative issue bears the inscription:  “EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT” (UNITY AND JUSTICE AND FREEDOM) and a stylised Federal eagle.

The mint condition coins were successively put into circulation by the branches of the Deutsche Bundesbank as part of the normal cash requirements of banks and retailers at their face value (€2).

The collector quality coins with a proof-like finish will be higher than their face value and will be issued by the Münze Deutschland (Germany’s official sales agency for collector coins).