This release is part of the pan-European issue in honor of the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus program.

The Erasmus program aims to promote student and teacher exchanges within the EU. The program was set up by the European Union in 1987 and has given millions of European students the opportunity to go on study exchange to schools in other countries.

The name ERASMUS is an acronym for European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students. The name for the program was inspired by Erasmus Desiderius, a Dutch humanist and critical mind back in the 15th century. Good education and good upbringing were especially important to Erasmus, who believed a better world would start with the youth and make for a more genuine society.

The obverse shows a portrait in profile of Erasmus, inspired by a 15th century painting by Hans Holbein. The reverse is the standard 2 euro design featuring a map of Europe and the denomination.