Rich B. writes: I am buying a coin I can’t identify. It has a portait of Dwight Eisenhower on the obverse with the words General Dwight D. Eisennhower 1952. It says on the reverse Europa Foederata 2 1/2 Europinos Valare 1/2 Dol. It has a stylized Libertas coming from a torch in the center. It is the size of a US half dollar. I’m told it is listed in Unusual World Coins Bruce #X11 KY#19. Condition seems to be VF with a little toning. What is this thing and do you know it’s value?
These coins are a pattern medallic issue for proposed universal European coinage. The 2 1/2 Europinos was struck by the Hamburg Mint, Germany in 1952. Many other issues with the Europa theme were struck by both private and official European mints.
The 2 1/2 Europinos is usually found in uncirculated condition. It is unusual to find it in VF (after all they weren’t really used). Uncirculated examples are probably worth $20-$30. A VF piece $5???
After almost a half-century of negotiations and political machinations, a universal European currency finally became a reality. In January 1999, the Euro was introduced: first as a “bankers currency”, then in January 2002 as a hard currency. The first Euro coins made their debut near the end of 2001. The euro coin series comprises eight different denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent, €1 and €2. The euro coins have a common side and a national side. The national side indicates the issuing country.
