2008 Slovenia €3 UNC Coin "EU Presidency"

• Mint: Royal Dutch Mint
• Denomination: €3
• Quality: Uncirculated
• Issue limit: 150,000 pcs.
• Alloy: Base Metal
• Diameter: 32 mm
• Weight: 15 grams
• Artist: Gorazd Ucakar
• Box/Capsule: No/Yes
• Certificate: No

First issued on January 3, this issue marks Slovenia's recent presidency of the European Union. It is the first Slovenian commemorative coin and also the first euro coin with a €3 denomination.

The EU Council Presidency of Member States was instituted by the Treaty establishing the European Community (the Treaty of Rome of 1957), which provides that Member States alternatively assume the function of president of the Council of Ministers for a period of six months.

In December 2004, the Council of the European Union decided that Slovenia would preside over the EU Council from January 1 to June 30, 2008. The presidency of the EU Council is an important political honor for Slovenia. In 2007, it became the first new Member State to adopt the euro, a process which proved to be fast and efficient. Slovenia will also be the first new Member State to serve as president. The presidency is confirmation that Slovenia is a country that Europe trusts and treats as a stable political institution capable of responsibly representing Europe on the international stage.

To mark Slovenia's presidency of the European Union, the Republic of Slovenia has issued collector coins with a "dynamic" EU star in the form of a windmill on the front side. The star represents Slovenia's initiative, movement, energy, volition, strength and active role during the EU presidency. Furthermore, the inscription on the coin "Facta loquuntur" (work speaks), indicates that the EU presidency will be geared to results and success. On the reverse, 27 dynamic stars represent the 27 EU Member States.

Additional Information

Please click here for the official web page in English!