The Central Bank of Luxembourg will release its 2016 €2 commemorative coins bearing the image of the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge to celebrate the landmark’s 50th anniversary, in May.
Opened in 1966, the bridge was designed by the German architect Egon Jux and has long bore the nickname the “Red Bridge”. Stretching 74 metres, it connects the city centre with Kirchberg and was built with the intention of promoting Luxembourg as the choice for the headquaters of the European Communities. It was named after the then ruling Grand Duchess Charlotte of Nassau-Weilburg who was the second daughter of Grand Duke William IV and Marie Anne of Portugal, and is the grandmother of the current Grand Duke Henri.
One million of these commemorative coins are going to be put into circulation during the month of May according to the the Banque Centrale du Luxembourg - Espace numismatique, a delay from the original timing announced of February/March. As well as bearing the image of the bridge, the coins will also carry the date of the bridge’s completion, 1966, as well as the bust of Grand Duke Henri, the year of issuance 2016 and the word “Luxembourg” on the lower part of the design.
Each country using the Euro is allowed two commemorative €2 coin designs per year. This does not include the jointly-produced special edition coins that all countries may use, such as the coin commemorating the 30 year anniversary of the EU flag.
Image courtesy of the Official Journal of the European Union
