2011 Holland €2 Coin Issue "Erasmus"

• Mint: Royal Dutch Mint
• Denomination: €2
• Quality: UNC/BU/Proof
• Issue limit: 4M/10K/2K/
• Alloy: Base Metal
• Diameter: 25.75 mm
• Weight: 8.5 grams
• Design: Dylan Shields
• Box/Capsule: Proof only/All
• Certificate: Proof & BU in card
• Edge: God*zij*met*ons*

Additional Information

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Issued on January 24, this is only the third commemorative 2 euro from the Netherlands, after the pan-European Treaty of Rome and EMU anniversary issues, but the first with a national theme. The coin honors the 500th anniversary of the publication of Erasmus' most famous work, Laus stultitiae, or The Praise of Folly in English, one of the most influential works of western civilization. The book was a satirical attack on the traditions of the European society, of the Catholic Church and popular superstitions, written in 1509 but published in 1511.

The BU version of this coin is also included in the Benelux BU coin set for 2011 (10,000 pcs) and the proof version is also available in the Dutch proof set (5,000 pcs).

Designed by British artist Dylan Shields, the reverse shows a re-interpretation of Hans Holbein’s famous portrait of Desiderius Erasmus in writing mode. The reinterpretation was made using a 3D cardboard and sticky tape sculpture of the painting and scanning it in a prototype printer. Also included is the effigy of Queen Beatrix, which by law is a necessity for Dutch coinage. The twelve stars of the European Union surround the design on the outer ring.