Federal Ministry of Finance honours Chemnitz with 20-euro collector's coin

The German government decided today to have a 20-euro collector's coin "Chemnitz - European Capital of Culture 2025" minted and to issue it in May 2025. The coin honours the award of the European Capital of Culture title to the city of Chemnitz. The coin is issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Lord Mayor Sven Schulze: "The Federal Government's decision to mint a 20-euro collector's coin to mark Chemnitz's designation as European Capital of Culture 2025 makes us proud. This coin is not only a valuable collector's item, but also a sign of recognition for the diverse and rich history of our city. It impressively combines architectural and historical motifs that make Chemnitz what it is today."

The coin is made of sterling silver (Ag 925). It has a weight of 18 grams, a diameter of 32.5 millimetres and is produced in the minting qualities brilliant uncirculated and mirror finish. The coins in the minting quality of brilliant uncirculated are put into circulation at face value (20 euros). Coins in the collector's quality of mirror finish will be issued at a sales price above the face value. Münze Deutschland", the official sales centre for collector and commemorative coins of the Federal Republic of Germany, will provide information on the exact price in good time before the issue date.

The coin can be pre-ordered in proof quality from the end of the year via the online shop of the Federal Office of Administration www.muenze-deutschland.de. It will be issued from 15 May 2025 and the coin will be available from this date in all Bundesbank branches as well as in some banks and savings banks.

The obverse shows twelve typical motifs of the city of Chemnitz and looks like a city guide looking back on more than 200 years of art, cultural and industrial history. You can see the Opera House, the Old Town Hall and the tower of St Jacob's Church in the background, St Mark's Church, the Red Tower, the Klaffenbach moated castle, the City Hall, the Market Hall, the Industrial Museum, Rabenstein Castle, the Gunzenhauser Museum, the Karl Marx Monument and the central lecture theatre and seminar building of Chemnitz University of Technology.

These buildings, which characterise Chemnitz, are placed on the outer edge in twelve segments of a circle - nine of them form the C emblem that the city and its campaigns are known for. The design of each circle segment is linked to a star, thus conveying the city's commitment to Europe. In the centre, part of the city's northern borders are highlighted in relief. They act as a carrier for the campaign logo "2025", the city name CHEMNITZ and the event "CULTURAL CAPITAL OF EUROPE".

The value side shows an eagle, the words "BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND", the value numeral and denomination, the mintmark "J" of the Hamburg Mint, the year 2025 and the twelve European stars. The indication "SILBER 925" is also stamped on the coin.

The smooth edge of the coin features the inscription "C THE UNSEEN" in recessed embossing, both normal and upside down. This is the first time that a purely English-language inscription has adorned the edge.

The decision on the motif for the coin was preceded by a competition organised by the Federal Office of Administration, to which ten artists were invited. On 14 June 2024, a seven-member jury recommended the design by artist Hagen Täuscher from Berlin. He graduated from the Berlin Weißensee School of Arts and Design with a diploma. The 43-year-old senior industrial and product designer has been designing coins and medals for national and international clients for more than 17 years and has delivered numerous competition entries for the Federal Ministry of Finance.

See also the BMF press release