The German government has decided to mint a €2 commemorative coin entitled “Saarland”. Scheduled for be issued at 16 January 2025, the coin is part of the “Federal States II” series that began in 2023. One €2 coin will be brought out every year, each celebrating a different federal state and showcasing an emblem that encapsulates the state depicted. The coins will be issued in the same order as the revolving presidency of the Bundesrat. The series will focus on the cultural identity and regional specificities of the individual federal states, following on thematically from its successful predecessor, the “Federal States” series (2006‑2022), which was rounded off in January 2022.

The national (picture) side, designed by Frankfurt am Main-based artist Carsten Wolff, depicts the “Saarschleife”, the great bend in the River Saar. The finely detailed design focuses on the key features of the meandering river. The wooded hills through which the picturesque Saarschleife winds are simplified to capture how the course of the river shapes the landscape. The bird’s-eye view embeds the characteristic natural waterway into the rolling hills, which fade into the distance. 

The central part of the coin also features the letter “D” indicating that the country of issue is the Federal Republic of Germany, the year 2024, the minting letter of the respective mint location, (“A”, “D”, “F”, “G” or “J”), the words “SAARLAND” 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 coin are the same as those of any regular issue €2 coin. As with all German €2 coins, the edge of the coin is engraved with the inscription: “EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT” (UNITY AND JUSTICE AND FREEDOM) and a stylised Federal eagle. Up to 30 million coins are to be minted for circulation. The coin will be valid as legal tender throughout the euro area.

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).