For background on the Bundesländer series, please see The Euro Information Website: FAQ- What is the Bundesländer series?.
Some design changes separate these issues from the four previous (2006-2009). The previous issues contained the long form name of Germany, Bundesrepublik Deutschland, at the top of the outer circle, with the twelve stars of the European Union completing the ring in semi-circular fashion. These next three designs render the twelve stars in a complete circle and replace the local long form name of the country with an abbreviation letter of the local short form name of the country: D for Deutschland. These design changes are in accordance with The Commission of the European Communities Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation.
The theme of the German 2012 Bundesländer 2 Euro commemorative circulation issue is 'Bayern' (Bavaria), the German state scheduled to hold the Presidency of the Bundesrat for that year and features Schloss Neuschwanstein (Neuschwanstein Castle) in Hohenschwangau and Füssen in southwest Bavaria.
The designer is credited as Erich Ott, who has also designed one other German Bundesländer series 2 Euro circulation commemorative coins.

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