Coin buffs are raving on about a rare €2 that could be worth significantly more than its face value to collectors, although it might be rarer than some people think
Could you be sitting on a valuable coin collection? (Image: Pixabay)
It might be time to start checking your loose change, as coin buffs are raving on about rare Irish €2 coin that could be worth significantly more than its face value to collectors.
The coin dates back to the very first year Ireland adopted the Euro, and it is notable for both its design and groundbreaking technical features. Like all Irish euro coins, the national side was designed by legendary engraver Jarlath Hayes and features the iconic Celtic harp, a long-standing and instantly recognisable symbol of Ireland’s cultural identity. The harp sits at the centre of the coin, flanked by the word “Éire” on the left and the year of minting, 2002, on the right.
The Irish 2 euro is instantly recognisable (Image: Getty)
Surrounding this inner section are the 12 stars of the European Union, which are supposed to symbolise unity between all the various member states.
While the design itself remained mostly consistent, collectors have been known pay close attention to subtle variations from the earliest euro years.
The common side of the €2 coin is shared across the eurozone, but there are two distinct versions.
Coins minted between 2002 and 2006 show an older map of Europe, with fewer borders marked, making early examples particularly attractive to collectors seeking first-issue coins.
While most 2002 Irish €2 coins remain common, those in excellent condition, from early mint runs or with minor minting quirks, such as bumps around the edges or misprinted images, can command a premium on collector marketplaces.
Have you found any valuable coins recently? (Image: Getty)
On eBay, we found coins going for nearly €50, with those containing misprints sometimes reaching figures of more than three times that.
And it’s not just Irish coins catching the attention of big bucks collectors.
Other rare euro coins have fetched eye-watering sums in recent years. A faulty Italian 1 cent coin, mistakenly struck on a 2 cent blank, famously sold for over €6,000 at auction.
Meanwhile, a Greek €2 coin minted in Finland, identifiable by a small “S” mark, has been listed online for four-figure sums.
Perhaps the most famous of all is Monaco’s Grace Kelly commemorative €2 coin, which had just over 20,000 minted. Today, it’s been known to sell for nearly €4,000.
While stumbling upon one of these two-decade old coins may be harder than it sounds, it is always worth sifting through any coins you have, before dismissing that old jar of change, even an everyday bit of shrapnel could turn out to be a hidden gem.
