Potential artists for a new circulating commemorative €2 coin to be released late in 2015 have just one more day to work on their proposed designs.

The European Commission is sponsoring a design contest for a circulating commemorative €2 coin celebrating 30 years of the European Union flag. All entries are due March 20.

EU citizens  will be able to vote on the design from March 30 to May 9, and the coin is due to begin circulating July 1. 

The coin was a late addition to the €2 coin program for 2015, as Coin World reported after the World Money Fair in Berlin.

Contest details were posted recently at the website for the Central Bank of Cyprus.

According to the brief, the design should visualize the European Flag “as a symbol not only of the European Union but also of Europe’s unity and identity in a wider sense. It should reflect the ideals of solidarity and harmony among the peoples of Europe.”

A euro symbol is allowed in the design, but not the name of the currency.

Certain elements that are required of all €2 coins are also required on this coin. Those include the 12 stars of the European flag on the outer ring, completely surrounding the design, and the year 2015 (which may appear by itself or paired with the 1985 year of the flag, and text identifying the issuing country.

Text should be limited, but if it must be included, should be in English. 

The design must allow room for Mint Marks to be added at the center of the coin, and maps should be avoided, since the common reverse side already features a map of the European Union.

Designers must release copyright for the voting and striking process, but copyright for the winning design will be transferred back to the designer after the competition. 

This will be the fourth subject for which the Eurozone is issuing a joint circulating commemorative €2 coin.

In 2007, the nations marked the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which paved the way for the European Union.

In 2009, Eurozone members celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Economic and Monetary Union. The 2012 joint program marked the 10th anniversary of the euro currency.

The ringed-bimetallic €2 coin has a copper-nickel core and copper-aluminum-nickel ring.

The €2 coin weighs 8.5 grams and measures 25.75 millimeters in diameter.

Want to read more news about the euro?

First Irish circulating commemorative €2 coin on tap for 2016

Latvia releases circulating commemorative €2 coin marking presidency of EU council

Germany continues Bundeslander series with Hesse coin for 2015

Germany to honor reunification anniversary in 2015 with circulating coin

France plans 2015 circulating €2 coin marking peace after World War II

Slovenia honors Roman city of Emona on 2015 coin

More from CoinWorld.com:

Low-mintage 'King of Morgan dollars' example sells for nearly $40,000

'Older, haggard' image of Ronald Reagan chosen by Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee

$60,000 gold coin is lost at ANA National Money Show, found and returned within hours

Casino owner altered surfaces of coins to stem exodus as souvenirs

2,500-year-old gold and silver coins found in U.S. college's library

Please sign in or join to share your thoughts on this story.

Keep up with all of CoinWorld.com's news and insights by signing up for our free eNewsletters, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Twitter. We're also on Instagram!