OBJECTIVE: The proposal for a regulation is intended to define uniform specifications for the first
series of coins denominated in euros, with a view to ensuring their proper circulation in the
Community.
SUBSTANCE: The Commission's intention in proposing this regulation prior to the launching of
the third stage of economic and monetary union is to ensure that a political agreement is reached
thanks to which actual adoption of the act will be no more than a formality.
The specifications proposed have been conceived to ensure that the coins are easy to use, can be
identified by their visual and tactile characteristics, are suited to the various user groups and offer
all possible guarantees against forgery.
The proposal defines the unit values and technical characteristics (diameter, thickness, weight,
colour, composition and edge) of the eight euro coins.�