Reverse: In the center, the “Hansekogge”, a cog-built ship typical of the Hanse. Along the rim, at the bottom-right: “650 years of the Hanseatic state”.

Obverse: In the center, the German eagle, the words "Bundesrepublic Deutschland" (“Federal Republic of Germany“) and the mint mark. Along the rim, on top, 12 stars representing the 12 countries in the Euro zone, and on the right, the year of issue. At the bottom, the face value.

Edge: The words “WANDEL DURCH HANDEL – VON DER HANSE NACH EUROPA” (“Change through trade – From the Hanseatic League to today’s Europe”).

This alliance on the road led to other alliances: in order to obtain mutual security, exclusive trading rights, and trade monopoly, the towns drew closer together. Lübeck and Hamburg concluded a treaty of mutual protection. Other cities joined this association: ports and inland towns from Holland to Poland entered the league, but the north German cities remained the principal members.