- New
Finland. Official Euro 1999-2001 Starter Set, First Euro Coins - set of 8, Condition BU, original bank pack
Set includes: 1 Cent 2000, 2 Cents 2000, 5 Cents 2001, 10 Cents 1999, 20 Cents 2001, 50 Cents 1999, 1 Euro 2000, 2 Euro 2000
Mini starter sets were intended for the general public and typically contained a small number of coins, each of a different denomination.
By December 15, 2001, a total of 500,000 starter sets had been distributed to citizens. The coins in these sets were minted in various years (starting in 1999).
Euro starter sets are packs of euro coins in all eight denominations, sealed in a plastic pouch. The primary purpose of these sets was to familiarize citizens of a country joining the eurozone with their new currency. Another objective was to supply coins to retailers’ cash registers well in advance of their respective €-Day. These sets were typically available at local banks several weeks before the euro changeover.
Besides Germany, fourteen other states introduced the euro as new currency on 1 January 2002. The starter sets, which are still popular among collectors today, were distributed among the citizens in various countries on different dates.
France, Ireland, Monaco and the Netherlands were the first countries to issue official starter sets on 14 December 2001. Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, Austria and Spain followed on 15 December 2001. On 17 December 2001, Germany, Greece, Italy and Portugal issued their starter sets.
Vatican City only distributed sort of a starter set among citizens on 1 March 2002. The Republic of San Marino is the only country that did not issue starter sets.