Reverse of the Coin (Euro--1, 2, and 5 Cent) Quiz

Answer: Chamois

Andorra is a small country nestled in the Pyrenees mountains between Spain and France. While Andorra is not a member of the European Union, it does have an arrangement to issue its coins in Euros and Cents. The lowest three denominated coins issued by Andorra (beginning in 2014) feature a Pyrenean chamois. Highly valued for its hides, the species was nearly hunted to extinction in the early 20th century although it has made a comeback.

In Catalan (the official language of Andorra), the chamois is known as an isard.

Answer: Two wild sheep

Cyprus is an island nation off the coast of Turkey. Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004 and as such is eligible to issue Euro and cent coins. Beginning in 2008, the one cent, two cent, and five cent Cypriot coins featured two mouflon. The mouflon is a wild sheep that is found in Cyprus and several other countries including Turkey and Iran.

The mouflon is also the symbol of Cyprus Airways.

Answer: Marianne

A longtime member of the European Union, the first Euro coins minted from France date from 1999. The three lowest denominations feature an image representing "Marianne", a symbol of the first French Revolution. Marianne was also used as a image on several pre-Euro French coins.

The one cent, two cent, and five cent coins are bronze in appearance when new and made out of copper-coated steel.

Answer: Oak twig

Germany is another long-time member of the European Union and has minted Euro coins since 2002. The small denomination coins have an oak twig. Oaks naturally occur in five of the seven continents. The oak twig was also used on West German/German coins of one to ten pfennig. Since German Euro coins have been minted in several cities, they also feature a mintmark: A (Berlin), D (Munich), F (Stuttgart), G (Karlsrule), J (Hamburg).

Answer: Lesser coat of arms

Latvia, located on the coast of the Baltic Sea, joined the European Union in 2004 and began issuing Euro coins in 2014. While Latvia originally planned to write the denomination of the coin as "Eiro", outside pressure convinced them use the standard word "Euro" on the coins.

It is, however, written in italics, indicating that it is a foreign loan word. The coins feature the lesser coat of arms which includes a lower area divided between a red lion representing Courland and a silver griffin representing Livonia.

The middle part has a sun representing freedom and the upper part has three stars representing the traiditional three parts of Latvia.

Answer: Knight on horseback

Lithuania, just south of Latvia, joined the European Union in 2004 and began issuing Euros in 2015. The image of the knight is adapted from the Lithuanian coat of arms (dating to the 15th century). He (the knight) is known as Yytis and he is wearing armor, wielding a sword and shield, and riding on horseback.

At the time of first issue, the Euro was equal in value to approximately 3.4 Litas (the previous Lithuanian currency).

Answer: Temple Altar

Malta, an island in the Mediterranean south of Italy, joined the European Union in 2004 and began issuing Euro coins in 2008. The one cent, two cent, and five cent coins feature the Mnajdra temple alter. It is part of a megalithic complex that dates back over 5,000 years. The three coins have the following diameters: 16.25 mm (one cent), 18.75 mm (two cent), and 21.25 mm (five cent).

Answer: Coat of Arms

Monaco is a small enclave on the Mediterranean surrounded on its non-ocean borders by France. While not a formal member of the European Union, Monaco does have an arrangement to issue coins denominated in Euros. The first of these coins are dated 2001. Monaco's small denomination coins feature the Coat of Arms of the country, which represent the ruling House of Grimaldi.

Answer: Royal seal (1134)

A long-time member of the European Union, Portugal began minting coins denominated in Euros in 2002. Vítor Manuel Fernandes dos Santos designed the version of the Portuguese royal seal that appears on the low denomination coins. The seal, which dates back to 1134, includes seven castles and five shields. Larger denominations of coins use later versions of the Portuguese royal seal.

Answer: Mountain

Slovakia, located in Central Europe, joined the European Union in 2004 and began issuing Euro coins in 2009. Drahomir Zobek designed the obverse on the low denomination coins The design features Krivan, a mountain in the High Tatra Mountains of northern Slovakia. This mountain, which stands 8,186 feet tall, was selected by the people of Slovakia in a nationwide vote.