Reverse: A pattern of several circles, inspired by the Minoan octopus, expressing the diversity and unity of Europe. Along the rim, twelve stars. On the ribbons, the names of the twelve countries of the union. Three of the four quadrants show 1999 coins from France. The last one shows “RF” for “French Republic”.

Obverse: This side has been the same since the series' inception in 2002, and features an illustration of the goddess Europa with 12 stars - one for each member country at the origin of the economic and monetary union, as well as those that will join in later.

This is the second coin of the Europa Series. Daughter of Agenor, the legendary king of Phoenicia, and sister of Cadmos, Europa was kidnapped and taken to Crete by Zeus, who had turned himself into a white bull. According to the legend, Zeus and Europa used the Bosphorus (the passage of the bull) to cross from Asia into Europe.