2011 – Netherlands – 500th anniversary of the printing of In Praise of Madness by Erasmus, Dutch humanist and theologian

Introduction

In 2011, the Netherlands issued a two-euro commemorative coin that celebrates the 500th anniversary of the publication of the work “In Praise of Madness” by Erasmus of Rotterdam. Additionally, this piece pays homage to the influence of the Dutch humanist and philosopher.

Coin description

The obverse of the coin features an illustration of Erasmus of Rotterdam writing his famous work. To the right of this image, Erasmus, shown in profile, holds a quill and concentrates on his manuscript. Furthermore, this representation highlights his role as an influential intellectual and writer.

To the left of the illustration, a portrait of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands appears, symbolizing the link between history and the current monarchy. Around the portrait, we can read the inscription in Dutch “Beatrix Koningin der Nederlanden”, which translates to “Beatrix Queen of the Netherlands”. Below the portrait, the letters “AY” and the year “2011” respectively indicate the engraver’s monogram and the year of issue.

Furthermore, the outer border of the coin is decorated with the twelve stars of the European Union. This symbolizes unity and harmony among member states. Furthermore, this inclusion reinforces the message of cooperation and shared culture within the EU.

Conclusion

The two-euro commemorative coin issued by the Netherlands in 2011 honors the 500th anniversary of the work “In Praise of Madness” by Erasmus of Rotterdam. Indeed, it captures the importance of this work in the history of humanist thought. In this way, it recalls the lasting influence of Erasmus on European culture and philosophy. Therefore, this coin symbolizes the rich intellectual heritage of the Netherlands and highlights their contribution to European culture and cooperation.

Country of Issue:
Date of issue:	January 24, 2011
Total mintage:	4.000.000
– Proof:	5.000
– BU:	22.000
– UNC:	3.983.000
Engraver:	Dylan Shields
The edge:
Rarity:
Official Journal:	2011/C 19/04
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Official coincard of this coin:

Do you want to know the technical specifications of this coin? Feel free to visit the page dedicated to the specifications of a 2-euro coin.