• Mint: Berlin Mint (A)
  
• Denomination: €2
• Quality: Uncirculated
• Issue limit: 6 million pcs.
• Alloy: Base Metal
• Diameter: 25.75 mm
• Weight: 8.5 grams
• Design: Bodo Broschat
• Box/Capsule: No/No
• Certificate: No

Helmut Schmidt (1918-2015) was the leader of Germany from 1974 until 1982 for the SPD 'Labour' party and concentrated on foreign policy.

He was a leading proponent of the EU, the euro and a central bank for Europe.

Prior to the highest office in the land he was a highly successful finance minister.

During the Nazi period, Schmidt was a group leader in the Hitler Youth organisation until 1936 when he was demoted and sent on leave because of his anti-Nazi views.

In June 1942, he married his childhood sweetheart Hannelore 'Loki' Glaser and they had two children: Helmut Walter, who died of meningitis before his first birthday, and Susanne who works in London.

As West Germany's Chancellor between 1974 and 1982, Helmut Schmidt's moulding of the country's economy earned him a respect so unwavering that the former politician was the only person in Germany allowed to smoke on live television.

Born in Hamburg in 1918, Schmidt lived through Germany's most turbulent century. Watching as his country fell into war, he would later be central in helping to rebuild its economy.

He retired from parliament in 1982 after his stretch as Chancellor and moved into the media, co-publishing respected German heavyweight newspaper Die Zeit.