Italian 2 Euro (Dante Alighieri)
Country of Origin: Italy (Italian Republic)
Year of Issue: 2018
Denomination: 2 Euro
Composition: Bimetallic: Nickel-brass clad Nickel core center, Cupronickel outer ring
Brief Description
A bimetallic silver-colored outer ring with a gold-colored center, featuring a portrait of Dante Alighieri.
Historical Significance
Dante Alighieri is Italy's most celebrated poet, famous for 'The Divine Comedy'. This coin type has been minted since 2002 to represent Italian culture within the Eurozone.
Estimated Value
$2.15 to $5.00 USD (Face value is approximately $2.15; uncirculated specimens command a slight premium)
Care Instructions
Avoid cleaning or polishing, as this destroys numismatic value. Store in a PVC-free plastic holder or acidic-free paper flip to prevent oxidation.
Mint Mark
R (Rome Mint, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato)
Mintage & Rarity
Common. Total mintage for 2018 was approximately 18 million pieces.
Weight & Diameter
8.50g / 25.75mm
Edge
Fine reeded with lettered edge: '2' followed by a star, repeated 6 times (alternating upright and inverted)
Apparent Grade
Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated (minimal wear visible on the high points of the hair and map).
Obverse (Front)
Portrait of Dante Alighieri (after a painting by Raphael), with the monogram 'RI' (Repubblica Italiana), the year 2018, and the mint mark 'R'. The 12 stars of the EU appear on the outer ring.
Reverse (Back)
A map of Europe next to the denomination '2 EURO'. The design symbolizes the union of European nations, designed by Luc Luycx.
What Drives This Coin's Value
Circulated coins are generally worth face value. Uncirculated (MS) condition or specific errors are required for higher value.
Similar Coins
Other Eurozone 2-Euro coins. They share the same reverse but have different national obverse designs (e.g., Germany has an Eagle, France has a Tree).
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Check for magnetic properties (the center is slightly magnetic, the ring is not) and the specific edge lettering quality.
Notable Varieties & Errors
None common for 2018, though collectors look for 'rotation errors' where one side is upside down relative to the other illegally produced during minting. No such error is visible here to the naked eye without a rotation test or specific measurements of the alignment of the two sides relative to each other (medal vs coin alignment). In Euro coinage, they use medal alignment (both sides facing up). If the reverse is upside down when the obverse is upright, it is a significant error variety. This particular coin appears to be a standard issue. Note also that several different designers have different initials appearing on various years; for this coin, the 'MCC' (Maria Carmela Colaneri) is visible beneath the bust of Dante. If these initials were missing it would be a notable mint error variety but they are clearly present here. Therefore, this is a standard circulation issue for the year 2018.
Created At: 2026-06-13T00:28:53.086315