Media

First special coins of 2022 on sale 2 March; now with the option of online purchase

01/27/2022 / Press release

Starting on 2 March Banka Slovenije will issue for sale and circulation the first of this year’s commemorative and collector coins. Offered for sale will be commemorative coins marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of architect Jože Plečnik and collector coins marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of painter Matija Jama. The planned issuing of a joint commemorative coin of all Member States of the Eurosystem, with the theme of the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus student exchange programme, is expected in July.

This year Banka Slovenije is also introducing a major new feature – the option of online ordering of all numismatic products for all individuals and companies. In this way we want to expand the scope of access to numismatic products and offer the same purchasing options for all interested parties, while also reducing the lines at the counters on the issuing of special coins. For the latest issue of commemorative coins, orders can be placed on an online form, starting today.

Banka Slovenije should highlight that commemorative coins are legal tender in all countries of the euro area, at face value, while collector coins are legal tender only in Slovenia.

The central motif of the collector coins marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of the painter Matija Jama comprises three young birch trunks. They represent the young man, artist, painter, setting out on his independent creative path. His brush strokes create the basis for a dynamic background of gentle relief, which recalls the surface of impressionist paintings, and portray the nomadic life of the painter. The artwork for the coins was designed by Matej Štanta. The following quantities of collector coins will be available:

  • 750 gold coins priced at EUR 440,
  • 1,250 silver coins priced at EUR 50,
  • 50,000 bimetallic coins of ordinary BU quality (in paper rolls) with a nominal value of EUR 3,
  • 1,000 bimetallic coins in proof quality, packed separately in plastic capsules, priced at EUR 17.

Figure 1: Both sides of the bimetallic collector coin for the 150th anniversary of the birth of painter Matija Jama

The main motif of the commemorative coin marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of architect Jože Plečnik is the large reading room window in the National and University Library in Ljubljana, with a column in front of it. The composition of signs A R H. P L E Č N I K is built into the window space and is a metaphor for the architect’s signature. The design was created by Andrej Žerovnik. The following quantities of commemorative coins will be available:

  • 991,000 coins of ordinary BU quality (in paper rolls) with a nominal value of EUR 2,
  • 2,500 coins in proof quality, packed separately in plastic capsules, priced at EUR 16.

Figure 2: Both sides of the commemorative coin marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of architect Jože Plečnik

Banka Slovenije has also prepared for the numismatic market sets of 2022 euro coins including all denominations of general circulation coins (from one cent to two euros) with minting date 2022, a two-euro commemorative coin and a three-euro collector coin for 2022. The following sets will be available:

  • 6,000 ordinary BU quality sets of euro coins priced at EUR 25,
  • 500 sets of euro coins in proof quality priced at EUR 70.

We also anticipate the issuing in July this year of a two-euro commemorative coin to mark the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus programme.

Online ordering begins today

In order to ensure equal availability for everyone, this year we are introducing the new feature of online purchasing. Applications can be submitted starting today and up to 16 February 2022, using the online application. If there are sufficient numismatic products available to cover all the orders received, Banka Slovenije will reserve the ordered product quantity for every buyer for a period of 14 days from the start of sales. In the event of orders exceeding the quantity available for sale, products will be distributed among buyers by a draw (products will be reserved for the buyers selected in the draw). Reserved items can be picked up starting on 2 March at the previously designated sales point, except for the two-euro commemorative coin issued on the 35th anniversary of Erasmus.

These special coins and sets that are not reserved will be available from 2 March at the Banka Slovenije counters, at selected branches of Deželna banka Slovenije and at Moro & Kunst, with protocols in place for the epidemiological situation and associated measures and recommendations.