€2 commemorative coins are special euro coins minted and issued by member states of the eurozone since 2004 as legal tender in all eurozone member states. Only the national obverse sides of the coins differ; the common reverse sides do not. The coins typically commemorate the anniversaries of historical events or draw attention to current events of special importance – there have been common commemorative coins with only different national inscriptions at five occasions. Since 2012, the number of commemorative coins is limited to two per country per year, previously only one was allowed. Additionally, issues of common commemoratives or a vacant head of state does not count towards the limit. The total number of commemorative coins put into circulation per year is also limited. The commemorative coins must respect the design standards stipulated for the common €2 coins, with limitations on the designs to guarantee uniformity, however designs have broken this rule such as the French entry in the 2008 coinage Up to the end of 2022, four hundred and seventy-seven variations of €2 commemorative coins have been issued. Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, San Marino and the Vatican City are the only countries to have released at least one commemorative coin every year since 2004. The €2 commemorative coins have become collectibles, but are different from commemorative coins with a face value different from €2, which are officially designated as "collector coins", not intended for circulation and usually made of precious metals. Regulations and restrictions Commemorative coins shall bear a different national design from that of the regular coins and shall only commemorate subjects of major national or European relevance. Commemorative coins issued collectively by all Member States whose currency is the euro shall only commemorate subjects of the highest European relevance and their design shall be without prejudice to the possible constitutional requirements of these Member States. The 2-euro coin constitutes the most suitable denomination for this purpose, principally on account of the large diameter of the coin and its technical characteristics, which offer adequate protection against counterfeiting. The basis for the euro coins is derived from a European recommendation from 2003, which allowed changing the national obverse sides of euro coins from 1 January 2004 onwards. Regarding them, a series of restrictions apply: Commemorative coins have a different national face than usual and keep the common face. They are intended to commemorate some relevant event or personality at