National designs were not allowed to change until the end of 2008, unless a monarch (whose portrait usually appears on the coins) dies or abdicates.

As the EU's membership has since expanded in 2004 and 2007, with further expansions envisaged, the common face of all euro coins from the value of 10 cent and above were redesigned in 2007 to show a new map.

The coins have been used from 2002, though some are dated 1999 which is the year the euro was created as a currency, but not put into general circulation.

Additionally, Cyprus is moved westward under Crete in order to include it and Malta is shown as disproportionally large so that it shows up.

Six fine lines cut through the sea, breaking when passing through the map, and at their ends at the top and bottom are twelve stars (reflective of the flag of Europe).

All have to include twelve stars (in most cases a circle around the edge), the engraver's initials and the year of issue.

Austria will also have to remove the denomination of the coin from its design, Greece is exempt from this requirement as it uses a non-Latin alphabet.