Germany issues 5-euro coin

The German Finance Ministry issued on Thursday a new five-euro coin which bear novel features, but could only be used for payments in Germany.

The new coin has a blue plastic ring in the middle, surrounding an eagle on one side and the earth on the other. The outer ring of the coin is decorated with European stars and numerous planets on two sides respectively.

The finance ministry said it was the first such coin combining both plastic and metal components. The coin will not replace the five-euro note, and can only be used in Germany for payments.

According to German central bank, Bundesbank, 2.25 million of these coins were minted in total. A number of 250,000 of them are with collector quality.