5 euro cent coin

The 5 euro cent coin (€0.05) is worth one twentieth of a euro. It is made from copper-covered steel, which gives it a two-colour appearance. This coin has been used across Europe since 2002 and shares a common design on one side with all other euro coins, while the other side shows a design that is unique to each country in the euro zone. Unlike some higher-value coins, the 5 euro cent coin kept its original look when designs were updated in 2007.

History

The 5 euro cent coin has been used since 2002, when the euro became the official currency in twelve countries and their territories. The design of the coin was made by Luc Luycx, an artist from Belgium, who won a competition across Europe. The design of the smaller coins, including the 5 euro cent piece, shows the European Union in relation to other parts of the world.

Each country in the eurozone has its own special design on the other side of the coin. These designs must follow certain rules, like including twelve stars. The designs were not allowed to change until the end of 2008, except in special cases. Starting in 2007, some designs were updated to follow new rules, but the 5 euro cent coin kept its original look. As more countries joined the eurozone, they added their own designs to the coins.

Design

The 5 euro cent coins are made of copper-covered steel. They are 21.25 mm wide, 1.67 mm thick, and weigh 3.92 grams. The edges of these coins are smooth. These coins have been used since 2002, although some show the year 1999, which is when the euro was created.

Reverse (common) side

The back of the coin was designed by Luc Luycx. It shows a globe in the bottom right corner. The design includes parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. There are twelve stars around the edges, representing the flag of Europe. The number 5 appears at the top left, with the words "Euro Cent" written below it in smaller text. Since 2017, some coins have a new design with a smaller, rounded number 5.

Obverse (national) sides

Edge of all 5 euro cent coins

The front of the coin changes depending on the country that makes it. Each coin must show the country’s name or a short form of it. All coins also have a circle of 12 stars around the edges. Some countries, like Greece and Bulgaria, write the coin’s value in their own language on the coin.

Some countries made coins dated 1999, 2000, and 2001, but these coins didn’t enter circulation until 2002.

Potential designs

Some countries, like Austria, Germany, and Greece, will need to change their coin designs in the future to follow new rules. Other EU countries have not yet adopted the euro, and while they have plans for their coins, it is not known when they will start using them.

See also: Enlargement of the eurozone and enlargement of the Eurozone for more information.

State	Details	Years of minting (years shown)
Andorran euro coins	A Pyrenean chamois and a golden eagle. It features the word "Andorra" and the year of minting.	2014 onwards
Austrian euro coins	An Alpine primrose as a symbol of Austria's part in developing EU environmental policy. The words "FÜNF EURO CENT" (five euro cent) appear at the top with a hatched Austrian flag below with the date.	2002 onwards
Belgian euro coins	FIRST SERIES: An effigy of King Albert II. To the right-hand side among the stars was the king's monogram, a letter "A", underneath a crown. The year is lower down, also among the stars.	1999–2007
	SECOND SERIES: A redesign to include the letters BE (standing for Belgium) beneath the monogram, which was moved out of the stars into the centre circle but still to the right of the king's renewed portrait. The date was also moved out and placed beneath the effigy and included two symbols either side (left: signature mark of the master of the mint, right: mint mark). This portrait did not comply with previous decisions by the ECOFIN in 2005 and 2008. Therefore, an amendment was made in 2009, which reverted to the portrait of Albert II found in the first series. Mint marks, year and stars remained the same.	2008–2013
	THIRD SERIES: In 2013, Albert II abdicated with Philippe of Belgium becoming king. He subsequently replaced Albert on Belgian coins.	2014 onwards
Bulgarian euro coins	A relief image of the Madara Horseman. The design also includes the year of issuance, the inscription “БЪЛГАРИЯ” (the country’s name in Bulgarian) and the word “СТОТИНКИ” (“CENT”) in Cyrillic script.	2026 onwards
Croatian euro coins	A ligature for Glagolitic letters ⰘⰓ (HR) and the word "Hrvatska" ("Croatia"), accomplished by a checkerboard in the background, designed by Maja Škripelj.	2023 onwards
Cypriot euro coins	Two Mouflons, a species of wild sheep on Cyprus that represents the island's wildlife. It includes, in a semi-circle to the top right, the name of Cyprus in Greek and Turkish (ΚΥΠΡΟΣ and KIBRIS) each side of the date.	2008 onwards
Estonian euro coins	A geographical image of Estonia and the word "Eesti" ("Estonia").	2011 onwards
Finnish euro coins	The heraldic lion of Finland found on the Coat of arms of Finland. It is a reproduction of a design by the sculptor Heikki Häiväoja and has been used by previous Finnish coins such as the 1-markka between 1964 and 2001. The first series included the initial of the mint master of the Mint of Finland, Raimo Makkonen (an M), on the bottom left side of the lion and the date to the left. In 2007, the initial was replaced by the mint's mint mark and the letters FI (for Finland) were included on the right hand side of the horizon. Finland again amended the design of its coins in the 2008 issue, repositioning the mint mark and putting it on the inside of the coin.	1999 onwards
French euro coins	Marianne, the feminine representation of France, its state and its values. It is the most prominent representation of France and its ideals of liberty and reason, dating from 1848. The depiction is young and determined, embodying France's desire for a sound and lasting Europe. The letters RF (République française), stylised, appear to the right above the year.	1999 onwards
German euro coins	An oak twig, an image carried over from the previous pfennig. The year and mint mark are shown at the bottom.	2002 onwards
Greek euro coins	A modern cargo tanker symbolising modern Greek enterprise. Above it is the denomination in Greek and the year.	2002 onwards
Irish euro coins	The national emblem of Ireland, an Irish harp (the Cláirseach, see Clàrsach). Vertically on the left-hand side is the word "Éire" (Ireland in the Irish language) and on the right hand side is the date. The harp motif was designed by Jarlath Hayes.	2002 onwards
Italian euro coins	A depiction of the Flavian Amphitheatre (the Colosseum), built in the first century by Emperors Vespasian and Titus. The elliptical amphitheatre in the heart of Rome is Italy's most famous landmark and is one of the greatest works of architecture and engineering of the Roman Empire and the world. It includes the interconnected letters IR (Repubblica Italiana) to the top right and the year at the bottom.	2002 onwards
Latvian euro coins	A small coat of arms of the Republic of Latvia above the word LATVIJA (Latvia).	2014 onwards
Lithuanian euro coins	The Vytis (symbol of the coat-of-arms) and the word "Lietuva", which means "Lithuania". The twelve stars, symbols of the EU, surrounds the Vytis.	2015 onwards
Luxembourgish euro coins	FIRST SERIES: A stylised effigy of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg designed by Yvette Gastauer-Claire in consultation with the government and monarchy of Luxembourg. The name "LËTZEBUERG" (Luxembourg in Luxembourgish) and the year is written round the bottom of the coin.	2002–2025
Luxembourgish euro coins	SECOND SERIES: On the left, a partial effigy of Grand Duke Guillaume looking towards the left. To the right of the effigy, the word "LËTZEBUERG" indicates the issuing country in a vertical reading from the bottom to the top. On the right, a stylised version of the Luxembourg flag is depicted. The year-date appears in the middle-part of the flag in a horizontal reading.	2026 onwards
Maltese euro coins	Depicts an altar of the prehistoric megalith Mnajdra temples. The temples were built in the fourth millennium BCE on the southern coast overlooking the sea. Beneath the depiction is the name Malta and the year.	2008 onwards
Monégasque euro coins	FIRST SERIES: The coat of arms of Monaco with the name MONACO across the top of the coin's outer circle and the year across the bottom of the outer circle with the mint marks.	2001–2005
Monégasque euro coins	SECOND SERIES: When Prince Albert II succeeded Prince Rainier III in 2005, the overall design was kept but the name and the year were moved within the circle to bring it in line with the new designs of the other coins that had changed significantly.	2006 onwards
Dutch euro coins	FIRST SERIES: A stylised profile of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands surrounded by the twelve stars and other dots, with the inscription "Beatrix Queen of The Netherlands" in Dutch around the edge. The date and mint marks are located at the bottom.	1999–2013
Dutch euro coins	SECOND SERIES: Following the accession to the throne of King Willem-Alexander, a new series of euro coins was issued depicting the effigy of the new Head of State.	2014 onwards
Portuguese euro coins	The royal seal of 1134 (stylised "Portugal") surrounded by the country's castles and five escutcheons with silver bezants set in relation to the surrounding European stars, and is intended to symbolise dialogue, exchange of values and dynamics in the building of Europe. Between the castles are the numbers of the year towards the bottom and the letters of the name Portugal between the upper icons. The stars are inset on a ridge.	2002 onwards
Sammarinese euro coins	FIRST SERIES: The first of the Three Towers of San Marino: Guaita. In a semicircle above the tower to the right are the words San Marino and to the left, the date. The mint marks are shown to the lower right.	2002–2016
Sammarinese euro coins	SECOND SERIES: The official coat of arms of the Republic of San Marino, the City Gate and the Church of St Quirinus, respectively.	2017 onwards
Slovak euro coins	Kriváň, a notable peak of the Tatra mountains. Kriváň symbolises Slovakia's sovereignty. Below is the name SLOVENSKO (Slovakia), then the year and the coat of arms of Slovakia with the mint marks either side.	2009 onwards
Slovenian euro coins	An interpretation of Ivan Grohar's painting of a sower. Grohar (1867–1911) was an Impressionist painter and is considered one of the leading figures of Slovene impressionism. The sower is a frequent motif in paintings and Grohar's image is embellished with round seeds and stars that, when scattered, float above the earth in elliptical patterns giving the impression of planets, drawing the sower close to the creator. The scattered stars join up with the twelve stars around the design (as in all the coins) and the number together reaches twenty-seven, the number of EU states that there were when Slovenia adopted the euro. Between each star round the right hand edge are the letters SLOVENIJA (Slovenia) with the date after it to the lower left.	2007 onwards
Spanish euro coins	FIRST SERIES: The Obradoiro façade of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, a prime example of Spanish Baroque architecture started in 1667 by Jose del Toro and Domingo de Andrade and completed in the 18th century by Fernando Casas y Novoa. The cathedral, which is Romanesque and dates from 1128, is a major pilgrimage destination. The name España (Spain) is shown to the top left and the top left five stars are indented on a raised area, inverting the effect of the rest of the coin. The date is shown to the top right.	1999–2009
Spanish euro coins	SECOND SERIES: In 2010 the raised area around the stars was removed.	2010 onwards
Vatican euro coins	FIRST SERIES: An effigy of Pope John Paul II. The name CITTA DEL VATICANO (Vatican City), followed by the year and mint mark, was written in a break between the stars below.	2002–2005
	SECOND SERIES: Following the death of John Paul II in 2005, a new coin was issued during the Sede vacante until a new Pope was chosen. This contained the insignia of the Apostolic Chamber and the coat of arms of the Cardinal Chamberlain.	2005
	THIRD SERIES: When Pope Benedict XVI was elected, his effigy appeared on the coins, with the name of the city now broken to his top right with the year and mint mark in the middle to his right.	2006–2013
	FOURTH SERIES: In 2014 the coins were updated with the election of Pope Francis. CITTA DEL VATICANO is written around the top, broken by Pope Francis's head, with the date below the O in Vaticano.	2014–2016
	FIFTH SERIES: After the announcement that the image of Pope Francis would no longer appear on any coins issued by the Vatican, a new series of euro coins were issued to depict the papal coat of arms of Francis.	2017–2025
	SIXTH SERIES: Following the election of Pope Leo XIV, new coins with his effigy are expected.	2026 onwards

Nicknames

In the Netherlands, the 5 euro cent coin is called a stuiver, a name from older money. In Flemish, the three copper-colored coins are sometimes called koper, ros, or rostjes. In Italy, the 5 cent coin, along with the 1 and 2 cent coins, is nicknamed ramini (from rame, meaning copper) or bronzini (from bronzo, meaning bronze).