The 2 euro coin commemorating the 1150th anniversary of the arrival of Christian missionaries Konstantin and Methodius to the Great Moravia has been issued by the National Bank of Slovakia. The design of the coin was created by graphic artist Miroslav Hric. St. Konstantin and St. Methodius, two Byzantine Greek brothers, contributed a great deal to the laying of foundations of the European civilisation and in 1980 both saints were declared co-patron saints of Europe.
The obverse side features the current motif of the two-euro coin.
The reverse side depicts half-figures of Konstantin and Methodius with a symbolic double cross in the forefront. The double cross rises from the middle peak of a mountain consisting of three peaks ? a symbol of Slovakia – and expresses the significance of the mission which helped secure full sovereignty and legitimacy of the oldest Slav state in central Europe. The book in Konstantin’s hands represents culture and education. Methodius is depicted with a church as a symbol of faith and religion.