Republic of San Marino, 1 Euro 2009

San Marino is not a member of the European Union but it's currency is the euro. The coins are minted in Italy, with whom San Marino has long-since formed a monetary union: from 1861 to 2002, people in San Marino paid with Sammarinese lire as well as with Italian and Vatican lire. The lira of San Marino was regarded as independent an currency although it was pegged to the Italian lira.

The Sammarinese euro coins all bear a distinct motif on the national face. The 1-euro-coin shows the national coat of arms, three towers on three hills. They stand for the fortresses of La Guaita, La Cesta and La Montale on the three peaks of Monte Titano, and have since the Middle Ages symbolized the little republic's readiness for self-defense. In the crest the towers bear ostrich plumes instead of flags, indication of nonviolence and trade with exotic destinations. The microstate's motto is LIBERTA, liberty.