The coin features a figure that merges with the € symbol. It seeks to convey the idea of ​​a single currency and, by extension, Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), the latest step in Europe's long history of trade and economic integration.

The coin is issued by each Eurozone country and features the name of the country as well as the legend "EMU 1999-2009" in the respective language(s). The design was chosen from five options by members of the public across the European Union via online voting. It was created by George Stamatopoulos, a sculptor in the coinage department of the Bank of Greece. The outer ring of the coin features the 12 stars of the European Union.